India number one Paes after being on match point in the second singles, handed over victory to Korea's Asian Games double gold medallist Yong-Il Yoon in a marathon five-setter 4-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1.

India's number two player Mahesh Bhupathi, short of singles practice, lost to the Korean number one Hyung-Taek Lee in straight sets 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 in the opening singles encounter early this morning in chilly-cold conditions.

The first tie, putting Bhupathi against a much improved Lee and a local crowd in this resort island egging on their home player, the Indian never reached his top form.

After losing the first set 6-1, the 23-year-old Bhupathi started with renewed vigour but after 5-5 in the second, Leeheld the whiphand to break him and serve out the set. It was a formality in the third as Lee crushed a demoralised Bhupathi to put his country 1-0 up.

Paes had the best chance to square the tie on the first day today but after taking a two set lead and going strong at 5-5 in the third, and on match point, he suddenly found Yoon forcing his way back into the game. Yoon won the third 7-5 and went on to win next 6-2 and the decider was even a smoother ride for the Korean who won 6-1 and to give his country a stranglehold over the five-match rubber.

It revived the memories of his loss to Britain's Greg Rusedski in a cliff-hanger five-setter in the September World Group Qualifying round when he lost 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-11.

India will now have to win tomorrow's doubles tie featuring Paes/Bhupathi against Yoon/Lee to keep itself in contention. To win the tie they will have to win both the reverse singles on Sunday.

The victors will meet New Zealand, who beat China in the first week of February, inSeptember.

Korea leads India 3-2 in an all-time Davis Cup record and have never lost on home soil.