NEWS
SCHEDULES
COLUMNS
PREVIOUS TOURS
OTHER SPORTS
STATISTICS
INTERVIEWS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Leander looking for revenge

India's No. 1 player Leander Paes will take on Korea's No. 2 Yong Il Yoon in the opening singles of the second round Group-1 Asia Oceania Davis Cup tie in Delhi on Friday.

At a simple but impressive draw this morning, Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha picked the name of Yong Il Yoon, which meant he will face India's No. 1 player Paes.

In the second singles, Syed Fazaluddin will face Korea's No. 1 Hyung Taik Lee.

In the doubles on Saturday, Paes and Fazaluddin will clash with Hyung Taik Lee and Yong Il Yoon.

On Sunday, in the reverse singles, Paes will meet Hyung Taik Lee while Fazaluddin plays Yong Il Yoon.

Talking to newspersons after the draw, India's non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan said he is pleased with the draw.

"Paes will give us a good start," he said.

Paes said he is looking forward to the first day's match.

"I am looking for revenge," he declared.

Paes played Yong Il Yoon twice and on both occasions the Korean won.

Asked if he is ready for five setters, Paes replied: "Yes, I am prepared for five setters for three days.

Asked if Mahesh Khupathi's absence will effect India's chances, Krishnan said, "We all know about Bhupathi's injury. He is recovering but there is no use harping about his absence. I am confident we will win this tie.

"The players are in good nick and Paes will spearheaed the campaign."

About India's none-too-impressive record against Korea, Ramesh said, "That is ancient history as far as I am concerned. I look at the postive aspect. I was member of the team which beat Korea twice."

This will be the seventh meeting between the two countries in the Davis Cup. Out of six ties so far, Korea have won four (1980, 1989, 1990 and 1999) and India two (1978,1991).

India's No 2 player Fazaluddin is unfazed by the fact he will be taking on Korea's No. 1.

"Well, it does not really make much of a difference. In any case I have to face him,'' he said.

Paes said though he is focused on his singles he will give his best in doubles too.

"I will do my best in the doubles also I have my plans and I think we have a good chance of making it to the World Group play-off."

Paes, who has been the spearhead of the Indian challange in the Davis Cup since many years, said his confidence is based on the fact that "we have a very well-knit team".

Krishnan also stressed on the home advantage, saying: "We will take maximum advantage of the home conditions.''

He said Fazal is shaping well and hoped that he will provide good support to Leander in the doubles.

Both Hyung Taik Lee and Yong Il Yoon said they are happy with the draw.

Asked about Paes's remark that he is looking for revenge, Yoon said: "Well, I will play my natural game, let us see what happens."

Asian Games gold medal winner Hyung Taik Lee said he is hopeful of taking his country into the next round.

"We are fully prepared," he said.

Japan's Nao Kawatei is the referee for the tie while Australia's John Blom and India's Puneet Gupta are the chair umpires.

The opening singles tomorrow will start at 10.00 am followed by the second singles. The doubles on Saturday will start at 12.00 noon and the third singles on Sunday will commence at 10.00 am followed by the last singles.

UNI