Busan, Oct 01: Star player Leander Paes may sit out of India's first match against east Timor tomorrow in the team event of the Asian Games tennis due to a minor ankle injury he suffered during a practice session at the Guemjoing sports complex here today. The Indians, who won four bronze medals at Bangkok, are determined to improve their medal haul here, and it would all depend on the seasoned duo of Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi who appeared aloof even during the practice session.
It is unlikely that Bhupathi, who missed the Davis Cup tie against Australia recently, will want to exert himself against debutants east Timor. But if he chooses to play the doubles, it would most probably be alongside Rohan Bopanna.
However, it is the possible quarterfinal encounter with top-seeded Uzbekistan that India have set their sights on.
"They will be tough opponents and we have to play really well to defeat them. We have to play consistently for the entire tournament," coach Anand Amritraj said.


Paes and Bhupathi arrived here last night while the rest of the team had arrived in the morning. The two superstars of Indian tennis practiced on different courts.

Bureau Report