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Mahesh Bhupathi may not possess the aura of his more illustrious compatriot Leander Paes, but over the years he has proved to be the more successful one of the duo.
Bhupathi earned the distinction of becoming the first Indian to win a Grand Slam when he partnered Japan's Rika Hiraki to win the 1997 French Open mixed doubles title. This path breaking victory paved the way for more glory as Bhupathi teamed with Leander to annex a host of prestigious Grand Slam titles.
In 1999, the duo became the first doubles team to reach the finals of all four Grand Slams, the first time such a feat has been achieved in the Open era and the first time since 1952. They went on to win the Wimbledon and French Open while Bhupathi partnered Japan's Ai Sugiyama to clinch the US Open mixed doubles crown.
Besides the doubles glory, Bhupathi has made a mark in mixed doubles as well by winning six Grand Slam titles. In 2006, Bhupathi teamed with Martina Hingis to win the Australian Open thus completing a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles.
