Paes-Sanam ensure India stay in Group I with doubles win

Bangalore: Seasoned Leander Paes combined with Sanam Singh to score an easy win against Indonesia`s David Agung Susant and Elbert Sie as India retained their place in Asia Oceania Group I by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Davis Cup relegation play-off tie on Saturday.

Paes, playing his 50th Davis Cup tie, and Sanam recorded a dominating 6-2 6-1 6-4 win in 90 minutes, securing the tie for the hosts. India maintained their record of never losing to Indonesia as the hosts now lead head-to-head statistics 6-0. Now, tomorrow`s reverse singles are mere dead rubbers and Indian captain S P Misra may rest Somdev Devvarman and instead play Sanam against Christopher Rungkat. Playing for the first time as a team, Paes and Sanam outsmarted the Indonesian duo as they were too strong for their rivals. They won the first set in a jiffy and broke David and Elbert twice in the second set to take the fizz out of the Indonesian challenge. Both Indian players put on a great game as it was a treat to watch their chips and volleys at the net. Sanam was fabulous with his serves and returns from the baseline. After taking a two-set lead the Indians looked a bit complacent and coach Zeeshan Ali kept telling them to keep focussing. Paes and Sanam committed many unforced errors including double faults to be broken for the time in the seventh game of the third set. However, it was too late for the Indonesians as India clinched the tie when Sanam crunched a lovely volley on David`s serve. For Indonesia, both David and Elbert put in their lot late in the third set. Elbert pushed himself hard, sprinting at either sides of the court, lobbing and smashing to get back into the game. Somdev is scheduled to play Christopher Rungkat on Sunday while Yuki will clash with Wisnu Adi Nugroho. PTI