A win in the doubles rubber may have proven to be the pivot on which India had turned Davis Cup ties around in the past, but Saturday's triumph is unlikely to belong to that category, says a report in The Indian Express, adding that Leander Paes and Purav Raja had to labour a touch before they could crack Yong-Kyu Lim and Ji Sung Nam in the first two sets, but were later rewarded diligence with the third which proved to be a bit of a stroll. Despite the 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-2 win, India's first in the tie, South Korea remain favourites to extend their 2-1 lead into the territory of the unassailable, come the reverse singles on Sunday.
Of the three players that made their Davis Cup debuts in the tie for India, Raja probably had the best reasons to contemplate the possibilities of a victory. The alarmingly retreating hairline and the languid gait may not have suggested it, but the 27-year old was the best ranked (161 in doubles) in his discipline of choice, among the three new-comers. And of course, he had the other, more crucial advantage of having Paes, the World No. 7, around to fight half his battles.
Meanwhile according to a report in The Hindu, the spectators packed the arena to watch multiple Grand Slam champion and Olympic medallist Leander Paes in action. “And, Purav Raja rose to the occasion too matching his iconic partner volley for volley as rookie and stalwart won the doubles rubber 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-2 against Lim Young-Kyu and Nam Ji Sung to keep host India alive in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania group ‘I’ match against Korea at the R.K. Khanna Stadium here on Saturday,” says the report, adding that the Koreans may have been perplexed at the way the celebrations unfolded — confetti littered the court and the crowd gave a standing ovation — but in a tie in which India has been considerably restricted in terms of access to quality singles players owing to the boycott of 11 players, winning the doubles was more than mere consolation.
“We didn’t order it,” said captain S.P. Misra, when queried about the zealous celebrations.
“One of the rockets went close to my ear. I am quick, but not that quick,” said Paes, as he corroborated his skipper’s comment that the celebration had “happened automatically”.
However, the grim fact remains that Korea leads 2-1, and had given enough evidence to suggest that it would be the favourite to wrap up the match on the final day. “We have a big job on hand. Tomorrow, we have a tough test,” said Paes, as he conceded that both the Korean singles players were quite solid.
According to a report in The DNA, the crowd at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium erupted in joy as Leander Paes and debutant Purav Raja jumped in the air to celebrate India’s doubles victory over Korea on Day Two. Was it just the sheer delight in winning with a rookie and keeping the tie alive, or a statement directed at the 11 rebels? Be that as it may, the Indians have given themselves a lifeline by thumping Yong-Kyu Lim and debutant Ji Sung Nam 6-4 7-5 (5) 6-2.
Playing with his 97th doubles partner, Paes looked a completely different player on Saturday. Instead of his usual fast interceptions, he opted for a wait-and-watch game on a slow hard surface, more suited to the South Koreans.
