JAIPUR: India carved out an authentic doubles victory over Indonesia at the Jai Club here March 30 to move into the second round of the Asia/Oceania zone Davis cup competitions.

The new doubles combination of Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes blasted the Beijing Asian games bronze medalists pair from Indonesia Bonit Wiryawan and Daniel Heryanto 6-2 6-3 63 in exactly 100 minutes to give India an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the first round tie.

Ramesh the master craft-man combined superbly his artistic game with the sheer power of Paes to carry India into the next round where they will take on South Korea.

The tie scheduled to be held at New Delhi from May 3 to 5 can take India just a step away from making a bid for re-entry into the elite world zone next year.

Barring the threat in the opening game and break of Ramesh Krishnan’s serve in the seventh game of the second set the Indian pair came out unblemished against the Indonesians who brought out one change from the combination announced at the draw.

The Indonesians fielded their regular pair bringing in Heryanto for Suharyadi.

The pair who had scalped India’s Zeeshan Ali and Paes in the men’s doubles at the Beijing Asian games began ambitiously on Krishnan’s serve but the Indians saved a break point to deny any advantage to the rivals.

Although Krishnan had slight trouble with this serve on Saturday too he pulled off with his vast experience while Paes relied heavily on his aggressive game to unsettle the opponents.

After both Krishnan and Paes served without conceding a point they sewed up the first set with another break in the eighth game on Heryanto’s serve.

Paes’ power game had improved Saturday and he executed many firm shots while Ramesh Krishnan was his usual self.

Heryanto considered the best player on grass by their coach Peter Platzer failed to hold his serve on two occasions while Wiryawan lost three.

After Paes served his second ace of the match to hold his serve in the first game of the second set he joined hands to break Heryanto’s serve for an early break in the set.

Krishnan used the lob often with good effect to get out of tight situations during the few rallies some of which were very exciting.

Though India broke the sixth game for a 5-1 lead Ramesh

Krishnan failed to hold his serve on the seventh as Wiryawan charged to the net to score winners Paes completed the second set with good service and volley.

Afterwards Krishnan said the Koreans were the “toughest opposition for us in Asia” and added that he had once played the number one Korean whom he could beat only in five sets.

Krishnan said he was satisfied with the performance in doubles but added that there was enough room for improvement.

Replying to a question he said he played the doubles after a long time and hence it was more exciting for him. He appreciated Paes for his performance in the doubles.

Comparing the Amritraj brothers combination (Vijay and Anand) with the present one (Krishnan and Paes) the Indian number one said it was not of the same class.

Commenting on the performance of Indonesian’s in the doubles Krishman said they performed better than in the singles “It was a learning experience for me” he added.

India’s non-playing captain Naresh Kumar said he was happy with the performance of his team Saturday in the doubles. While Krishnan played an Anchor Role Paes played an attacking game.

He said the victory was a “morale lifter” for India with the joining of Krishnan in the team No change would be made for the reverse singles except only on medical grounds Naresh Kumar said.

Replying to a question about reports of rift in the tam Naresh Kumar said disappointment could be there amongst the non-playing members of the team but there was a difference between a rift and disappointment.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 5, 1991