New York, Sep 14 - India's Leander Paes claimed his 10th Grand Slam title when he and Czech Republic's Lukas Dlouhy staged a remarkable turnaround to beat compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the US Open men's doubles final here.

The 36-year-old Paes, who lost the mixed doubles final partnering Zimbabwean Cara Black, had hurt his elbow earlier in the tournament and was nursing a sore shoulder, arm and triceps Sunday.

'I'm a little numb at the moment because it's just been a mammoth effort over the past two weeks,' Paes said. 'Every time I touched the ball there was so much pain that I did not believe that I could actually go through the match and finish.'

'This is the best year I've ever had on tour,' said the Indian, who now has six men's doubles titles.

Paes and Dlouhy were beaten by Bryan twins Bob and Mike in the title clash here in 2008, but they avenged their defeat in the semi-finals this year.

This was the first time Paes was meeting his former longtime partner Bhupathi in a Grand Slam final. The two were facing each other for the 19th time since splitting up in 2000, with Paes leading 10-9 in the head-to-head record.

Paes has reached 11 Grand Slam men's doubles finals. His first title came in the French Open in 1999 along with Bhupathi and the two went on to win two more titles - Wimbledon in 1999 and French Open 2001 - before parting ways.

Paes had to wait for five years for his next men's doubles title which came here at US Open with Martin Damm in 2006.

He then forged a successful combination with Dlouhy. The pair reached the final at Flushing Meadows in 2008, but lost to the Bryan brothers Bob and Mike.

Paes and Dlouhy won their first Grand Slam title together at the French Open this year.

For the second consecutive year, Paes was lined up for a doubles' double at US Open. He won the mixed doubles title in 2008.

That too looked like slipping away from Paes' when Bhupathi and Mark Knowles ran away with the first set. But Paes and Dlouhy rallied to turn the tables.

'I just have to say I'm blessed with a great partner like Lukas,' said Paes. 'He seems to play on the big moments. That's the important part, when you have a partner that recognises I was injured. He stepped up to the plate and said, 'I'm going to do it'.'

Dlouhy said they could make a strong comeback because they combined very well.

'We were like fired up, and we were playing well and like a team,' Dlouhy said.