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Paes/Bhupathi for Heineken Open

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the world No. 1 doubles pair, have confirmed participation for the 7,25,000-dollar Heineken Open to be played in Singapore from October 9-17. They have also been given wild card entries in the singles category.

The Indian duo, who recently created history by reaching the finals of all four Grand Slams events in a calender year, winning the French Open and Wimbledon, were finalists at Singapore the last two years.

The Indians won the championship in 1997, but lost to the Woodies (Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde) 2-6, 3-6 in the final last year.

The tournament gives the Indians, who are on the crest of success at the moment, a chance to avenge the defeat as Woodies will be defending their title.

Also in fray are Marcelo Rios, Mark Philippoussis and Michael Chang.

Speaking about the event, Paes said: ''We consider Asia to be our home ground and winning here is very important for us. Singapore specially holds importance to us as we have always received good crowd support here and look forward to another good event.''

Paes, however, added, ''It is not going to be easy for us. We have to take things one match at a time.''

The duo said it is a very good gesture that they have been given wild cards for the singles.

''It is a good chance for us to work upon our rankings in singles,'' Bhupathi said, adding "we are confident going into the tournament.''

About his dipping singles ranking, Paes said, ''Last year we had set a goal for ourselves as a doubles team- to win a Grand Slam and finish the year as No. 1. We have achieved that goal remarkably this year. It is like a give and take relationship,'' he said, hinting that the success in doubles has taken a toll in singles.

However, he added that now they would also ''concentrate on our singles".

Asked if they would be adopting any particular strategy to beat the Woodies, they said it was through playing them that they would learn more and more ways to counter them.

''We have to play them and learn,'' Bhupathi said.

He said the next big event the duo were aiming for is the World Doubles Championship at Hartford. The duo had to bow out of the tournament last year due to an injury.

The pair, who would be spearheading the Indian challenge at the Asia Cup to be played here in November, said: 'Coming to India is part of our duty."

"We intend to give to the country in our own ways,'' Paes said.

''I have a tennis academy at Calcutta and Mahesh has one at Bangalore. Besides, we also meet young players and try to encourage and motivate them,'' he added.

UNI