Paes suffers first-round loss in Sydney International

Leander Paes and his partner Jeremy Chardy, on Monday, suffered a straight-set loss in the opening round of men’s doubles at the Sydney International. Paes and his men’s doubles partner Jeremy Chardy of France lost 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and eight minutes to Brazilian-Canadian third seeds Marcelo Melo and Daniel Nestor on Court No.3 of the NSW Tennis Centre.

Paes and Hingis will start as the defending champion at the Australian Open next week.

Leander Paes and his partner Jeremy Chardy, on Monday, suffered a straight-set loss in the opening round of men’s doubles at the Sydney International.

Paes and his men’s doubles partner Jeremy Chardy of France lost 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and eight minutes to Brazilian-Canadian third seeds Marcelo Melo and Daniel Nestor on Court No.3 of the NSW Tennis Centre.

Paes will start as the defending champion at the Australian Open next week along with Swiss Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles category.

The Indo-French combo failed to convert the eight break point chances that came their way as Melo and Nestor broke them once each in the two sets to sail into the quarterfinals.

Among other Indians in fray, Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna will play their respective matches tomorrow.