The 'Indian Express' has derailed even before taking off.

The prospect of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes joining hands again on tennis courts came to nought as the duo were forced to withdraw from the 355,000-dollar ATP Tour event in Long Island, New York, this week, as the latter is down with flu.

It is learnt that Paes is recuperating in Orlando and will not be able to make it to the event.

Bhupathi and Paes, three-time Grand Slam champions and the former world No. 1 pair before splitting last year, had been given top billing for the event.

The two decided to pair up for the week since their respective partners, Max Mirnyi of Belarus and David Rikl of the Czech Republic, opted out of the event, the last before the US Open, starting Monday.

Bhupathi and Mirnyi are the defending doubles champions at the US Open.