The famed Indian combination, that put aside their differences to have one last shot at glory, fell at the quarterfinal hurdle on Friday, outplayed by Switzerland's Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.
Unable to find their range or rhythm on court two at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre, Paes and Bhupathi were beaten 6-2, 6-4 in a match that was halted due to rain on Thursday night with the Swiss pair leading 4-1 in the first set. When the match resumed in steaming hot conditions and under clear blue skies, Federer and Wawrinka maintained their dominance, wrapping it up in just one hour and 22 minutes.
"It is something we have worked for for many years. It's something that is probably the only thing missing in our showcase," a dejected Paes said after the match. "We played our hearts out, but we got a bit outplayed. How many chances did we really have? I don't think there were many chances really. Yes, it is a heart break."
After easily getting past their early round opponents, Paes and Bhupathi had raised hopes of a second medal for India from Beijing. But they were up against a different class of opposition on this day. Federer needs no introduction while the 23-year-old Wawrinka, playing his first Olympics, has made big strides in singles in recent times and he provided solid support for his more acclaimed partner. The fact that Indians never had a breakpoint on their rivals' serve tells a lot about the match.
Federer, who crashed out in the singles quarters on Thursday, played at a different level on the day, leaving the Indians dazed. They needed to be extra sharp to counter the threat but they weren't. A volley hit long, a return dumped into the net, a miscued overhead – many mistakes weren't needed to script another Olympic disappointment for the duo.
Federer and Wawrinka, placed comfortably overnight in the first set with a break of serve, easily closed out the set in the eighth game. An overhead mishit by Bhupathi opened up the door for the Swiss combo and Federer slapped a forehand crosscourt into an open court to take the set.
Federer continued to dazzle and some of his shots – like a half-volley pick-up winner in the fifth game of the second set – were simply out of the world.
Indians did well to hang on till the tenth game when Bhupathi's serve came under pressure. Indians were soon down two match points and though they saved one, Bhupathi sent a return long on the second to end the Indian run.
PARTNER BHUPATHI NOT SO SURE: Beaten Paes targets ’12 London Games
Beijing, DHNS: Another Olympic Games might have ended in disappointment for them, but both Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi refused to believe that it was the end of their medal quest together.
Paes is aged 35 while Bhupathi is 34. When the next Olympics come along in London in 2012, they will be close to 40. Asked whether another Olympics was possible, Paes replied in the affirmative. "Certainly. It's something that I am aiming for. I feel that there are quite a few athletes at this Olympics already who are 40-plus. At 35, there is no reason why I can't, at 39," he said.
"One of my goals has been the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. I am trying for my fifth Asian Games. For me, it is all about keeping my body fit, keeping my enthusiasm for tennis up. There is no reason why I can't come back for a sixth Olympics."
Bhupathi said it was tough to plan so far ahead. "It's four years and is very hard to plan. Of course, if in 2011 if you are playing high quality tennis, and you are in the top-10, top-15, then why not? But if you are asking me what I am going to do in 2012, I don't really know what I am going to do next year right now."
Bhupathi added that their next goal was the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. "We have always put our best foot forward when it comes to playing for India. As long as I think both of us are healthy, in two years' time, I am pretty sure we'll be trying to win the Commonwealth gold."
