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Bhupathi, Sugiyama win US Open mixed doubles title

India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Ai Sugiyama of Japan won the mixed doubles title at the US Open today, beating the unseeded combination of Donald Johnson (United States) and Kimberly Po (Japan) 6-4, 6-4 in the final today.

The second seeds needed just one break in each set to emerge triumphant in the match which took a little over an hour and 20 minutes.

"It was my power and her touch that won us the title," said Bhupathi after the victory.

This is Bhupathi's second Grand Slam mixed doubles triumph. Partnering Rika Hiraki, also of Japan, he had won the French Open title in 1997.

In the first set, both sides held serve till the ninth game when Bhupathi/Sugiyama broke Donald Johnson on deuce 5. Bhupathi's quicksilver reflexes at the net proved decisive as he effected two cross-court smashes to ensure the break.

The Indian, who is in line for a double when he partners Leander Paes in the men's doubles final against Sebastian Lareau and Alex O'Brien tomorrow, then got his service right to take the first set 6-4.

The second set followed the same pattern, with both pairs exercising caution till Bhupathi/Sugiyama broke Johnson in the fifth game.

Thereafter, Bhupathi was all over the court, covering Sugiyama well enough. He could have wrapped up the match easily in the tenth game, but serving for the match, the Indian, after taking a 30-0 lead, double faulted to allow Johnson and Po to level at 30-all. The game went to deuce four times till Bhupathi served out the match on the second match point.