At 33, Bhupathi joins Club 40

The pair tasted its first success on the ATP Tour as they ousted higher-ranked Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett in straight sets to clinch the $2.2 million Rogers Masters title.

The eighth seeded pair overwhelmed the fifth seed Australia-Zimbabwe duo 6-4, 6-4 in a highly competitive match lasting an hour and eight minutes.

In the well-fought match, the key finally was Bhupathi and Vizner converting a couple of crucial break points, while their opponents were unsuccessful on their only chance.

Having played together for just eight days after an exchange of SMSs according to the Bangalorean, it was the “most phenomenal of finishes.”

Clearly justifying that he can still be counted as one of the big boys in doubles on the tour, Bhupathi, along with Vizner, put aside three crack Tour pairs — No 4 Leander Paes and Martin Damm, No 1 Bob and Mike Bryan and finally Hanley and Ullyett.

So which of these three great wins stands out? Bhupathi singled out the match against the Bryan brothers. “It always helps to beat the No 1 team. It was high quality tennis, and some good rallies that really had the crowd on their feet.”

With that match going down to the wire, Bhupathi explained: “We had another major hurdle to cross before the final — that being sleep. Our semi-final match went on till late and I got like three hours of sleep. On court next day, I think we just played on adrenaline.”

For Bhupathi, Montreal was for his fourth title in Canada, after 1997, 2003 and 2004. In fact, the last time Bhupathi won a Masters Series title — Montreal being part of the Super 9 series — was with none other than Leander Paes.

Having broken into club 40, Bhupathi said he may again team up with Vizner. “I think it would be pretty stupid not to. But we’ll have to figure out some things. Vizner is already committed for the season…and let me remind you, this was just a one-off thing.”

While the success at Montreal was worth $1,30,000 for the pair and took Bhupathi’s career earnings past the $4 million mark, the 33-year-old hopes to add at least another 10 titles to his kitty. “That’s if I still enjoy playing,” he added.