Leander Paes had mentioned that he had enough ammunition in his war chest to get a measure of the Uzbeks. To gamble on a strategy — at the Davis Cup tie in the Capital — was a risk India was willing to take on home turf. At the end, it worked quite like magic.

India fielded their best men, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, who, true to expectation, pulled off a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win over Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov at the RK Khanna stadium on Saturday. India go into Sunday’s play with a 2-1 advantage.

On the final day, in-form Bopanna will take on Denis Istomin, who was a sorry shadow of himself from the previous day. Prakash Amritraj might just see the light of day at the Davis Cup with non-playing captain Paes certifying his fitness and allaying fears that faith has been lost in the controversy-embroiled player’s ability. With rules allowing for a change in player upto 10 minutes before the fifth rubber, it depends on Bopanna’s show in his reverse singles match.

But Bopanna should not have too much trouble against Istomin if the Uzbek continues to play the way he did on Saturday. Istomin was the chink in Uzbek, armour while partner Dustov put up an improved performance.

Bhupathi and Bopanna exploited this weak link and played close to the nets with the knowledge that their rivals were bad volleyers. Istomin was unable to hold serve in the first and last game of the first set, and was a bumbling wreck all through, unable to keep his footing on grass.

... contd.