Pune: India's eight-time doubles Grand Slam champion Leander Paes marked his arrival at the Tata Open Mahrashtra with a thumping 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) win over compatriot Divij Sharan in the men's doubles opening round in Pune on Tuesday.

Playing alongside Australian partner Matthew Ebden, Paes, who is playing his last tournament in India, showed his class during his clinical victory over defending champion and second-seed Sharan, who partnered New Zealand's Artem Sitak.