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Leander-Mahesh duo makes it a no contest

By Kamesh Srinivasan

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati celebrate their victory over Japan's Thomas Shimada and Jun Kato after their doubles match in the Davis Cup in New Delhi on Saturday. — Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI FEB. 8. They are two of the best we have in Indian sports. They were good enough to raise a full house on Saturday. But, both Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were ruthless and did not let the entertainment stretch beyond 90 minutes as they ripped through the feeble challenge offered by Jun Kato and Thomas Shimada 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 in putting India 2-1 up against Japan in the Asia-Oceania group `I' Davis Cup tie at the R. K. Khanna Stadium.

Playing together after their victory at the Asian Games in Busan, Leander and Mahesh jelled as well as they had done all these years. They did not give any anxious moments for the colourful crowd, which even filled the far West stands, creating a lively atmosphere.

The duo was playing together at home after the World doubles in Bangalore early last year. It was a sight that was not to be missed, especially in the Davis Cup theatre.

``It was nice and clinical," said Ramesh Krishnan, quite pleased with the minimum effort that was required to win the rubber, especially in the light of Leander needing to be at his best for a possible `live' fifth rubber on Sunday.

Of course, it was a bit surprising for the Indian camp that the Japanese put rookie Jun Kato for the tie instead of the seasoned Takao Suzuki who had not show any signs of physical problems in his match against Leander.

But then, the Japanese have their own scheme of things, and may be want their best player in full strength for the tie against Rohan Bopanna, to sustain their hopes.

Jun Kato was easily the weak link as he was broken four times, at least once in each of the three sets. The experienced Shimada with a doubles ranking of 66 dropped serve once in the second set.

The Indian duo dominated the match so much that it dropped a mere 18 points on serve in the whole contest. That included the extended seventh game in the first set when Mahesh had to save three breakpoints on his serve. That was the only game when the Indian team faced breakpoints.

The sharp serves, the crisp volleys, the deft touch at the net, the top-spin lobs that landed precisely on target and the explosive passing shots were all there from the Indian side to entertain the spectators, who filled the stadium till the top tiers. There were some interesting rallies too to make it look a contest for the patriotic crowd that had children with the national flag painted on their faces.

``It was nice to be playing Davis Cup at home once again. I have good memories of the tie that I had played here the last time," said Mahesh.

Obviously, the team did not want to let things go out of hand, in a possible attempt to provide additional entertainment for the huge gathering, for you do not take chances in Davis Cup.

``Their best match that I had seen was when Leander and Mahesh beat the Wimbledon champions and World No.1 team in the U.S.," said Ramesh, who used the opportunity after an early finish this afternoon, to get some practice for Rohan Bopanna on the centre court.

``We were playing one of the best teams in the world. There was nothing to be ashamed of in the defeat'', said Shimada, as he acknowledged the undisputed Indian supremacy.

``We are still in the tie, and Suzuki is fine'', said the Japanese captain, Jun Kamiwazumi.

On his part, Leander assured that he was feeling at his best and ready to take on the challenge from Gouichi Motomura who had played very well against Bopanna on the opening day.

``I have had two nice days of relaxed work. I am completely ready'', declared Leander, who joined Jaidip Mukerjea with 62 wins in Davis Cup after the doubles rubber.

Well, it may be Leander's day on Sunday afternoon, unless someone else plays beyond himself to steal the thunder from him.

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