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India one match away from defeat

Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes lost both their singles matches in the Asia-Oceania group 1 Davis Cup and are now within one match of defeat.

After a tentative and erratic Mahesh Bhupathi lost 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 to South Korea Number 1 Hyung Teak in the opening singles, Leander Paes appeared to have salvaged the day for India when he led Yoon Yong-II two sets to none and had a match point in the 10th game of the third on Yoon's serve.

Paes looked like having won the match when he opened the court with a beautiful backhand down the line but Yoon ran it down and Paes mishit a forehand out of the court.

As the ball sailed out of court, it took along with it Paes's domination of the game and India's hopes on day one.

Yoon waxed and Paes waned as the match progressed and the Korean finally won 4-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 in three hours and 11 minutes.

"Disappointing" was how India's non-playing captain Jaideep Mukherjea summed up the day.

"On paper, we were the favourites but the Koreans are always tough at home. They are extremely fit physically and they prepare very hard for the Davis Cup."

UNI