Paes to miss Asian Games singles to focus on doubles

MUMBAI: Leander Paes said on Tuesday he is unlikely to play singles at the Asian Games in Doha in December in order to focus fully on the doubles and mixed doubles.   

The Davis Cup captain said he had three major challenges at the end of the year, starting with the elite Masters Cup in Shanghai in November, and did not want to dilute his chances in any of them by taking on the extra strain of playing singles.   

"Martin (Damm) and I want to do well in the Masters," the 33-year-old Paes, who won this month's US Open men's doubles with the Czech, told reporters on Tuesday.   

The US Open triumph meant the duo qualified as the fifth team for the Masters, which will feature the top eight pairs on the ATP race rankings.   

"This (Masters) is one title that has eluded me, I've been there thrice," said Leander, who also aims to retain the doubles crown at the Asian Games with Mahesh Bhupathi. The two won gold at the 2002 Asiad in South Korea.   

"We are the favourites there and if we don't do well it will be a big disappointment," Paes said.   

Paes and Bhupathi were among the world's top pairings, winning three grand slam titles together.   

Paes said he was keen to win the mixed doubles title at the Asian Games with Sania Mirza. He captured a bronze medal alongside Mirza four years ago.   

Last year the 19-year-old Mirza became the first Indian to claim a WTA title and rose to 31 in the world rankings.