Paes-Bhupathi duo crashes out

By Our Tennis Correspondent

LONDON, JUNE 29. In Indian sport, not the least in Indian tennis, triumph and disaster are next door neighbours. A little over two weeks after winning their third Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in the French Open, the sixth seeded Indian pair, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, Wimbledon champions the last time they played on these lawns--in 1999--crashed to a stunning first round defeat in straight sets at the All England Lawn Tennis Club on Friday.

There were times when Bhupathi and Paes might have played better together blindfolded. Long years from now, looking back, they might wonder if they had ever played as poorly as a pair as they did this afternoon in the first round of the Wimbledon championships.

David Adams of South Africa and Michael Llodra of France are not exactly in the Woodies--Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge--league but the Indians managed to make them look very, very good as they went down 1-6, 3-6, 3-6.

The Indians lost serve five times in three sets and never once broke their opponents. They had a few breakpoint opportunities but failed to capitalise on them.

``I would say it was not one of their better matches,'' said Bob Carmichael, Paes's coach after sitting through the massacre like a zombie.

That was surely a classic under-statement. This was perhaps the worst match they have ever played together on a big stage. They served badly, returned poorly, missed simple volleys and overheads and their shot selection was awful.

You can't do much worse than that, really, when you are coming in as unbeaten champions (Bhupathi and Paes did not play as a pair here last year as Paes was injured).

``It was pathetic,'' admitted Paes. ``The conditions were not easy with the wind. And they used them better and we did. We just didn't get our serves going and on grass that is death.''

Sunil, Prakash qualify

Meanwhile, there was whiff of success coming in from Roehampton for India. Sunil Kumar, National champion two years ago, beat Komilav Loglo 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to qualify for the boys singles event and Prakash Amritraj, son of Vijay Amritraj, got past Michal Przysiezny 6-3, 6-3 also to make the main draw.

Sania Mirza of India has already gained a direct entry in the girls singles event.

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