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| April 9, 2006 | Sunday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1427 |
Davis Cup: Indians take 2-1 lead as Pakistan lose doubles
MUMBAI (INDIA), April 8: Indian pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati knocked out Pakistani reserve players Asim Shafik and Jalil Khan in straight sets to give hosts 2-1 lead in the Davis Cup playoff tennis tie at Brabourne Stadium on Saturday. The former world No.1 doubles pair completely outplayed Pakistanis 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in one hour, 42 minutes to give their side psychological advantage in Sunday’s reverse singles.
Pakistan will have to win both Sunday’s reverse singles to beat India against the odds in this away tie and retain a place in the Asia-Oceania Zone, Group-1. India just need to win one reverse singles to triumph.
Pakistan took the gamble and rested their main players Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan from doubles so as to keep them fresh for the showdown in the reverse singles.
However, the Indian playing captain Leander Paes was keeping his cards close to his chest. “We have three good players for the reverse singles and we will decide whom to field on Sunday.”
Aisam disposed of Rohan Bopanna while Prakash Amritraj survived a scare before ousting Aqeel in a close encounter in the opening day singles on Friday.
As a normal practice, Prakash should face Aisam in the first reverse singles match while Aqeel should take on Bopanna.
Under the rules, a team can play their two reserve players and there is a possibility that Indian playing captain Leander Paes may himself walk into the court against either Aisam or Aqeel on Sunday.
“I don't think an ageing Leander will opt to play against Aisam who is younger and also has experience,” Pakistan's non-playing captain Rashid Malik told reporters.
“I don't think Leander, at 33, will last the rigours of a five-set encounter against Aisam,” said Rashid.
He termed Indian win in the doubles a clinical performance. “We had to get it finished quickly so that we conserve as much energy as possible for the reverse singles.”
As if to emphasise Indian doubles superiority, he disclosed that he and Bhupathi had completed 19th Davis Cup doubles victory “which is a world record.”
Pakistan pair of reserve players Asim and Jalil showed some spark in initial games but then faded out as the doubles progressed.
Jalil conceded break in the third and Asim in the fifth games of the first set.
Indians broke in the very first game of the second set before Pakistanis also had a break of their own in the sixth game.
However, the Indians broke in the very next game (seventh) to go on to win the second set as well.
The India pair also broke twice to win the third set and the match in which Leander Paes smashed the highest number of aces four
Doubles result: Leander Paes/Mahesh Bhupati bt Asim Shafik/Jalil Khan 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.—Agencies
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