Koreans not to underestimate Paes

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 3. The absence of Mahesh Bhupathi may be viewed as a `lucky' situation for the Koreans, but they were not willing to underestimate the ability of Leander Paes, especially on grass at home.

Before reaching here on Sunday night the Koreans practised on grass courts at Johor Bahru in Malaysia last week in the absence of such a facility in Korea. The Koreans were not that unsure about their game on grass at the NSCI Complex, as they had two sessions of practice like the Indians.

The Korean captain, Won-Hong Joo, was equally sure that his team, which had pulled off an away coup against Japan in February would be the favourite to win the crucial doubles.

``We know that Bhupathi is good both in singles and doubles on grass, more than hardcourts. We are lucky that he is not here, as he can make a big difference. If Paes and Bhupathi play, we stand no chance. Now we can win the doubles, though we don't know who will play with Leander. We also are looking at beating the Indian No. 2 in the two singles. Of course, Hyung- Taik Lee and Yong-Il Yoon do have a chance against Leander'', said Joo, quite relaxed in the warm and breezy conditions, a welcome contrast to the cold conditions in Chejus island where Korea humbled India 3-2 last year.

The top two Koreans, 24-year-old Lee and 26-year-old Yoon had hurt their shoulder and knee respectively during the mandatory Army training last November and missed the circuit early this year. Yet, they recovered quickly to beat Japan.

Yoon, the reigning Asian Games champion, has also done well to win a title in the Futures circuit in Indonesia, though he had to pull out midway through the Futures circuit in Japan recently because of a stomach ailment.

``Lee looks good on grass. He was in top form last year when he won the Yokohama Challenger. It pushed his ranking to a career- best 189. After their injury we thought we may lose to Japan, but we won the tie after the fourth rubber, with Lee winning both his singles and the doubles'', said Joo.

In fact, Lee enjoyed a fine season last year, winning three Futures tournaments in Japan and China apart from clinching the singles title in Universiade Games in Palma.

The captain had inducted the former star of the Korean team, Kim Bong Soo, as the coach of the team for the last tie against Japan, because Soo had been playing professionally in Japan for the last 10 years.

The 37-year-old Soo has been retained in the Korean team for the current tie, because of his experience in beating the Indian team twice in Baruch and Seoul in 1989 and 1990.

``Ramesh is a very good friend and I am surprised that he is just walking around, without playing, though he looks fitter than me. Leander has been the world No.1 doubles player. We have a fit team. I am looking at an interesting tie'', said Soo, who could have been mistaken for a player as he volleyed with aplomb.

The Indian team practised diligently, though everyone including Ramesh, fixed their gaze at the way the Koreans went through their practice session, trying to make quick mental notes for the tie beginning on Friday.

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Indian teams named

NEW DELHI, APRIL 3. The Indian teams for the Asia Oceania World Junior and World Youth Cup have been announced by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) following the trials at the DLTA Complex from March 28 to April 1.

The under-14 World junior Cup competition will be held in Nonthaburi, Thailand, from April 30 to May 8. The World Youth Cup will be staged in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 7 to 15.

lThe teams: under-14: boys: Karan Rastogi, Tushar Liberhan and Divij Sharan. Reserve: R. Vasudevan. Girls: Ankita Bhambri, Sanaa Bhambri and Kartiki Bhat. Reserve: Sharanya Pattabhi.

Under-16: boys: Amanjot Singh, P. Vishal and Jaco T. Mathew. Reserve: Rohan Gajjar. Girls: Megha Vakharia, Isha Lakhani and Samrita Sekhar. Reserve: Nandita Chandrasekhar.

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