Paes and Bhupathi aiming to regain top spot

Crack Indian doubles duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have set their sights on claiming their maiden Australian Open title and recapturing the world's number one ranking in 2002.

After making a perfect start to their campaign by winning the year's first title at Madras last week -- their 21st together -- they are now looking to go all the way next fortnight after having lost in the final at Melbourne Park two years ago.

"The win at Madras was a great way to begin the year," said Bhupathi from New Zealand on Wednesday.

"It gives us a lot of confidence, and since we're a team that plays on confidence it's a perfect start. Our target this year is to win as many titles as we can, but we'd like to do well in the big tournaments and finish the year number one again," he said.

Paes and Bhupathi had taken the tennis world by storm in 1997 and 1998, winning 12 titles before a sensational 1999 saw them become the first pair since 1952 to reach all four Grand Slam finals and win the Wimbledon and French Open titles.

BITTER SPLIT

But even while they were on a roll, there was trouble brewing between the players because of what media reports called misunderstandings and ego clashes.

They went through a bitter split in early 2000 that ended just before the Sydney Olympics.

Paes and Bhupathi made a strong comeback after an initial slump on the return trail and claimed their second French title at Roland Garros to end last year fourth in the Champions Race.

"The Australian Open is as good a tournament as any to make a mark at. We enjoy playing there, we've made the final before and there's no reason we can't do well again, perhaps even win."

Paes's coach, Australian Bob Carmichael, had been working with the pair but they are now looking for a replacement.

"Bob has been with Leander for six years, and indirectly even with me," Bhupathi said.

"He's been great, he's taught us all he knows and now we thought we'd find a coach to take us to the next level."

Bhupathi said there was also more off-court warmth now between the pair, who have decided to push their past problems further aside since they will be travelling on the circuit alone.

"Things are certainly much better now than they were in the past and we've decided to make more of an effort and be more communicative."

The Indians aim to play about 20-22 weeks this year, slightly on the lighter side compared to the last few years.

"Health-wise we're really good. We just want to make the important weeks count and claim a few more big ones."