Paes/Bhupathi get easy draw

The Indian duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have been placed in the relatively easy 'Bharati' Group in the ATP World doubles tennis championship 2001, which gets under way on Tuesday in Bangalore as a 'challenge' event, devoid of ATP ranking points.

Paes and Bhupathi, ranked second in the tournament, are pitted against Peter Pala/Pavel Vizner of The Czech Republic, Mark Knowles of Bahamas/Brian Macphie of the United States and John Laffaie de Jager/Robbie Koenig of South Africa.

Wimbledon champions Donald Johhson and Jared Palmer of the United States, who have been given the top billing are in the 'Touchtel' Group, in which other teams are Bryan twins Bob and Mike of the US, Rick Leach of US/Ellis Ferriera of South Africa and Tom Vanhoudt of Belgium/Chris Haggard of South Africa.

In the opening match of the event on Tuesday, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan take on Ellis Ferriira and Rick Leach.

The Indian pair will be without any serious preparation as they had an early exit at the Australian Open.

Commenting soon after the draw of lots ceremony, Bhupathi said, "Every team is good in the tournament. There will be pressure, though we are capable of beating all the teams here."

"But we are confident of emerging victorious and our first goal is to reach semifinals," he added.

In their first match, Paes and Bhupathi will take on the South African pair of John Laffnie de Jager and Robbie Koenig.

Bhupathi said it would be crucial match.

Top seed Donald Johnson, who had won the 2000 doubles championship in partnership with Piet Norval, said his group was a tougher one. "Our strategy contains just three letters - 'win'," he added.

The organisers were disappointed as the Zimbabwean pair of Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett, who finished fifth last year, and the US-Australian combination of Jeff Tarango and Michael Hill, ranked ninth, pulled out of the tournament.

The two alternate pairs -- John Laffnie de Jager and Robbie Koenig of South Africa and Tom Vanhoudt of Belgium and Chris Haggard of South Africa have been accommodated.

The top two teams from each group would make it to the semi-finals, to be played on February 1.