Hesh pairs with Lisa in search of ‘better luck’

Playing with new partner Lisa Raymond, India’s Mahesh Bhupathi got off to a flying start in the mixed doubles event as the third seeded Indo-American pair made shortwork of unseeded Paul Hanley (Australia)/Petra Mandula (Hungary) 6-4, 6-2.

Speaking to The Indian Express from New York, Mahesh said the change was because he was ‘‘looking for a change in luck’’ since the year so far has “not been productive.” For the record, the pair, which shot to fame bagging the Wimbledon title in 2002, has not had the best of seasons so far.

In the three Slams it played, the best has been a quarterfinal appearence at Wimbledon after being upset in round one at the French and Australian Opens, respectively.

Mahesh, however, ruled out the that the latest switch would be a permanent one. Mahesh said that it was necessary to experiment as doubles was all about coordination. On Raymond, Mahesh said “she’s a good doubles player…let’s see how it works.”