Paes crashes out of Japan Open

Indian tennis ace Leander Paes crashed out of the Japan Open tennis championships, losing to Italy's Andrea Gaudenzi 3-6, 2-6 in the second round on Wednesday.

Gaudenzi will take on French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, who defeated Nicolas Massu of Chile 7-6 (7/5), 6-0, in the third round on Thursday.

Paes had cleared the first hurdle on Monday, beating Fredrik Jonsson of Sweden in a rain-delayed match.