Birthday boy Bhupathi, Mirza win mixed title

AFP/Paris

GREAT GOING: India’s Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi (L) react after a point as they play against Poland’s Klaudia Jans-Ignacik and Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez during their Men’s Mixed Doubles final

India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza won the mixed doubles title at the French Open yesterday, defeating Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Klaudia Jans-Ignacik of Poland 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in the final. Bhupathi, one of the most successful men’s doubles and mixed doubles players ever, won the title on his 38th birthday. “Now I dont have to think of a gift to give him,” Mirza said after their victory. Bhupathi, who is married to Indian actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, dedicated the trophy to his four-month-old daughter Saira, his first child. “This one’s for her and I’m really happy,” he said. It was the third time that Mirza and Bhupathi had reached a Grand Slam final together. They won the 2009 Australian Open after being runners-up at the same tournament in 2008.