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[huma]

Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi will have his gossiped girl-friend Lara Dutta cheering for him when he plays the US Open from August 30 to September 12 in Flushing Meadows, NY.

The sassy Bollywood actress is travelling to US for a magazine shoot at the same time when Mahesh, who has recently separated from Shvetha Jaishankar after approximately seven years of marriage, will be sweating it out at the tennis courts. Obviously the two are looking to plan their meetings. Lara, 32, is also expected to watch Mahesh, 36, play from the box allotted for people close to players like their coach, trainer and family. The couple has of late given ample indications of their closeness including hand-in-hand appearances at many award shows. But rumours of them living in were subsequently rubbished. Though the industry has been anxiously waiting for a confirmation on their alleged romantic relationship, both have remained coy.

"Lara has a hectic schedule coming up post September with back-to-back shoots and this is the only time she has to be with her so-called 'good friend' Mahesh after his separation with Shvetha. Meanwhile, he is already busy playing matches right now and will be in the US for the Open. Lara will join him from China. Interestingly the timing of both being at the US is to a T," says a reliable industry source, adding, "Everyone is hopeful that when the media gets them there, a confirmation on their relationship might be on the cards as officially Mahesh is now a single man." Though they could not be contacted, a close friend of the couple confirmed, "Look at it as coincidence. Lara does have a huge magazine endorsement up her sleeves and as chance would have it Mahesh is playing the US open."