The top-seeded Indians outclassed unseeded left-handed pair of Goran Ivanisevic of Croatia and Jeff Tarango of the United States 6-2, 7-5 at the Parisian red clay courts to accomplish a grand dream for themselves and their country.

Their progress to their first Grand Slam title was halted late last evening due to heavy rain and fading light, with Paes and Bhupathi leading 6-2, 5-5.

The Indian pair clinched the second matchpoint on Paes' service when Ivanisevic sent a return high and long, threw up their arms in triumph and embraced each other to cheers from their close friends and relatives.

As play began, the Indians quickly gained upper hand when they straightaway broke Tarango's serve to go up 6-5. At the first matchpoint, Paes fired what looked an ace, but he showedsportsmanship when Ivanisevic pointed out the ball was just wide, though it had been called good.

Paes earned a second matchpoint when Tarango netted a return which they converted to clinch victory.

It was second time lucky for Paes and Bhupathi who had lost their first Grand Slam final, the Australian Open this January, after an epic five-set battle against Aussie Pat Rafter and Swede Jonas Bjorkman described as one of the classic doubles encounters.

Roland Garros has proved a happy hunting ground for Bhupathi who became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title in 1997 when he partnered Japan's Rika Hiraki for the mixed doubles title.