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Paes-Bhupathi go down tamely in final

For the second time in two months, Canadian Sebastien Lareau and American Alex O'Brien defeated top-ranked Indians Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes for a major championship.

Lareau and O'Brien claimed their first ATP Tour World Doubles Championship yesterday by making quick work of Bhupathi and Paes 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

The duo needed only 86 minutes to claim their eighth doubles title as a team and fourth this season. They had posted a 7-6, 6-4 win over the Indians in September's U.S. Open final.

The victory meant Lareau and O'Brien would finish the year ranked second in the world behind Bhupathi and Paes after the final ATP doubles rankings were released today.

Runners-up in 1996, Lareau and O'Brien pocketed a total of 170,000 dollars for the week, having accumulated 90,000 dollars in winnings up to yesterday's match and an additional 80,000 dollars for claiming the tournament.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Bhupathi and Paes, who also lost in the 1997 final to Rick Leach and Jonathan Stark.

The Indians won three titles in 1999 and became the first team in 47 years to reach the final at all four Grand Slams, winning the French Open and Wimbledon. They were seeking their 16th doubles title together.

Bhupathi and paes still lead the all-time series with Lareau and O'Brien 5-4.

The total purse for the eight-team field was 900,000 dollars.

UNI