The 23-year-old Fazaluddin's 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-4 win over China's No 1 Zhu Ben-Qiang in eight minutes short of two hours came after Leander Paes trampled upon the hapless Chinese Zhang Yu 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in just 85 minutes to set the trend for the day.

If Paes' match rose slight above a warm-up session, it was Fazaluddin's win which made the victory all the more sweeter for India. The debutant showed little signs of nerves, serving and playing well within his limitations to set India on the path to Davis Cup victory sinceSeptember 1997.

Dissensions apart, the day clearly belonged to the curly-haired Fazaluddin. He began quite nervously and that explained why he just couldn't convert the innumerable break points. Zhu Ben-Qiang was serving and returning better than the Indian but he lacked the basic requisites when playing on grass. Fazaluddin, on the other hand, was depending on his serve to pull him out of the trouble. The Chinese, while keeping the Indian pinned to the baseline, was trying to squeeze out winners and since both the players lacked variety in their shot-making, the one who made lesser errors was always bound to win.

``I was under no pressure to begin with. Because the captain and Leander had given me enough tips and confidence. I was advised to stay loose and I think what was expected of me and I think I did a good job,'' Fazaluddin said later.

After taking the first set, Fazaluddin really applied the pressure in the second breaking Zhu in the fourth game. Up 40-15, Zhu double faulted and a forehandwinner from Fazaluddin helped seal the break.

The final stamp of authority came when Fazaluddin rammed in a backhand down the line winner in the seventh game of the third to get the only break in the set.

The Calcuttan may not have played a classical grass court game but gave enough indications that he could be a candidate for the number two slot provided he is groomed the right way.

Meanwhile, Paes struggled to get his concentration right in the first singles. It was a match which he would have won even in his sleep and the only problem he faced, apart from the killing heat, was the kind of rhythm with which he could keep going. The wake-up call came in the sixth game of the first set when he dumped a high volley into the net and a Zhang forehand winner forced him to drop serve.

He broke right back in the seventh on the third break point with a clever backhand winner and then on it was smooth sailing. ``I managed to pull it off in quick time because I was finding is difficult to concentrate in thefirst place,'' Paes added.

Results

Paes bt Zhang Yu 6-4 6-2 6-3

Fazaluddin b Zhu Ben-Qiang 7-6 (6-3) 6-3 6-4

Paes backs Fazaluddin in doubles

At the end of the day, widening chasm between the top doubles pair once again came into the fore when Paes, in the post match press conference, said considering that Bhupathi was not fully fit to play singles, he wouldn't mind playing doubles with Fazaluddin and nurture him along.

That took the captain Jaideep Mukherjea absolutely unawares as he went on the defensive saying that a final decision would be taken tonight. That is a marked changed in stance by the captain who had all along maintained that Bhupathi would play doubles come what may.

In a tie which is as good as over, the doubles pairing hardly matters but what is a matter of concern is the flood of bad blood that is threatening to drown the Indian team.