Indian doubles specialist Leander Paes's preparation to win the Wimbledon doubles crown began on a wrong note when he and Donald Johnson of the United States made a first round exit from the $800,000 grasscourt tournament in Halle, Germany.
Paes and Johnson, the third seeds, went down to Pavel Vizner and Tomas Cibulec (Czech Republic) 2-6, 6-7 (2/7).
Last week, the Indian Davis Cupper reached the semi-finals of the French Open, partnering David Rikl of the Czech Republic.
The other Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi opted to kick-start his Wimbledon campaign at the Queen's Club in London.
Bhupathi and Mirnyi, who lost to Paes and Rikl in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, are seeded second and received a first round bye at the $775,000 event.
They will face Jarkko Nieminen of Finland and Raemon Sluitter of the Netherlands in the second round.
© 2025