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Paes, Stepanek win US doubles

New York - India's Leander Paes and Czech Radek Stepanek won the US Open men's doubles on Sunday, their second major title as a pair and the Asian star's third in New York.

Paes and Stepanek, the fourth seeds, defeated Alexander Peya of Austria and Brazil's Bruno Soares, the second seeds, 6-1, 6-3.

The pair had also won the 2012 Australian Open title and ended Bob and Mike Bryan's hopes of completing a calendar year Grand Slam with victory in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Paes, 40, had won the US Open title with Martin Damm in 2006 and Lukas Dlouhy in 2009 and now has eight men's doubles trophies at the majors as well as six mixed doubles crowns.

"My best advice, if you want to succeed at doubles, is to find a partner from the Czech Republic," said Paes, who has now won titles in three different decades.

He also dedicated the win to his coach, Rick Leach, who has been shuttling between New York and California to care for his sick father.

"He's a real champion. Thanks for supporting us," Paes added.

Stepanek, 34, praised Paes for standing by him when he was out of action for three months earlier this year after undergoing spinal surgery.

"I didn't know how long the recovery would take. It was a real tough time and didn't know when I would be playing again. But Leander stayed with me. He could have gone with another partner," said the Czech.

"That's what makes our friendship so special."

Victory on Sunday was eased when Peya picked up a back injury and needed a medical time-out during the fourth game of the second set.

He continued for the rest of the final but only at walking pace.

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