New Delhi: Unfortunately the bottom half of the men's doubles draw at this year's US Open have all the Indians stacked up against each other, because of which the number four seeds, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will be clashing swords with Davis Cup teammate Somdev Devvarman and his Filipino partner Treat Conrad Huey in the third round on Monday.
However, with the Bryan brothers (Mike and Bob) out of the way, the field is wide open which surely leaves everyone salivating at the prospect of the cherished US Open trophy, including the Indo-Pak Express of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, seeded fifth at this year's competition.
With 11 grand slam titles to their name, the Bryans have consistently turned out to be a thorn in the side of other doubles teams, so their shock defeat at the hands of Ivo Karlovic and Frank Moser in the opening round could be a sign from up above that it’s time for Lea-Hesh or for that matter Bopanna and Qureshi to grab the limelight.
Not to mention that it were the Bryans who thwarted the fairytale reunion of Paes and Bhupathi, denying them their fourth major together at this year's Australian Open men’s doubles final.
The Bryans also accounted for the duo of Bopanna and Qureshi in last year's final at Flushing Meadows.
But, this time around it could be the perfect setting for an Indian Express vs Indo-Pak Express last four clash should things go according to the blue print.
Will it be a fourth grand slam title for Lea-Hesh, a maiden triumph for Bopanna and Qureshi or will Somdev turn out to be the surprise package and enhance his doubles credentials.
It could also be none of the above which would prove to be a case of the one that got away, not the best of outcomes from and Indian point of view since it’s not every day that the Bryan brothers are upset in the first round of a grand slam event.
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