Leander Paes and Martina Navratilova's hopes of a third Grand Slam mixed doubles title together were shattered as they were beaten in the final of the French Open event in Paris on Friday.
The sixth seeds, who had won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles in 2003, lost to the unseeded pair of Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Fabrice Santoro of France 6-3, 3-6, 2-6 in the final.
After being broken in the opening game of the match, Paes and Navratilova went on to effect two breaks and take the first set rather easily.
Games then went with serve in the second set, till Hantuchova and Santoro broke in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead. They then held to take the set at 6-3.
A battle royal was expected in the decider as Paes and Navratilova broke in the second game to go 2-0 up. But their opponents broke back immediately in the next and then held serve to tie the scoreline 2-2.
Paes and Martina were then broken in the fifth and seventh games as Hantuchova and Santoro proceded to take the set at 6-2.
Paes-Martina's progress to the final
First round: Navratilova/Paes beat S.Foretz/N.Devilder 6-4, 6-3
Second round: Navratilova/Paes beat D.Safina/S.Aspelin 6-4, 6-0
Quarter-finals: Navratilova/Paes bt C.Morariu/J.Palmer 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3
Semi-final: Navratilova/Paes bt S.Stosur/P.Hanley 6-2, 6-3
Final: Navratilova/Paes lost to Hantuchova/Santoro 6-3, 3-6, 2-6.
