22 sets, 216 games but nothing to show for it

He had reason to, seeing that he had just finished his most tiring tournament ever; 22 sets involving 216 games played in 10 matches over eight days. When you’re 31, it does bring out a ‘phew’.

This was, incidentally, the first time Paes and Rikl had made a Grand Slam final since starting out two-and-a-half years back. Calling it one of the best weeks he’s played in, Paes, in his post-match speech made it a point to thank Rikl.

Emotionally, he added, ‘‘It’s good to be back at the US Open having missed it last year,’’ referring to the brain lesion that kept him out of the game for a long period.

Paes attributed the loss to a ‘‘quicker’’ pair. ‘‘They were quick today,’’ he said, which was understandable, as TV comentator Patrick McEnroe wrapped up the match saying, ‘‘even the fastest guy on tour, Paes, could not match them, it was a fiiting end.’’

Paes’ entire US Open campaign, which includes teaming up with Martina Navratilova (mixed doubles), brought out one honest confession; something that could spell bad news for his future opponents: ‘‘All through the tournament I’ve felt the strongest ever in my career.’’

Which helped him also make the mixed doubles semi-finals with Navratilova. The duo lost a hard-fought game against Australians Todd Woodbridge and Alicia Molik 4-6, 6-3, 6-7.

The win meant that Paes/Rikl would pick up 700 ATP Tour points, which would take then to No 7, and most importantly a shot at the yearend World Doubles Championships.