It should have been 2-0 up, says Paes

Mumbai, Apr 7 (UNI) Indian Davis Cup captain Leander Paes expressed satisfaction over the result of the first day in their Asia-Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup tie against Pakistan, which saw both the teams locked at 1-1 at the Brabourne Stadium here today.

After Prakash Amritraj restored parity for India, Paes told reporters here that ''considering the situation mid-way through the first set in the second rubber I am very happy. Though I believe we could have been 2-0 up.'' On his team's chances in the tie after the first day's play, Paes said the Pakistan coach had given them a 60-40 chance at the beginning of the tie, he would now make those odds further in India's favour.

''I am also confident that on Sunday the boys would come out charging and wrap up the tie, after we (along with Mahesh Bhupathi) winning the doubles tomorrow,'' he said.

On the first match, Paes said more than Rohan (Bopanna) losing, it was Aisam Quereshi who won it.

Paes also complimented Rohan saying tennis wise he played perfectly. The only thing now is that he needs to believe in is his heart and mind to go up that one level. ''He has everything, a good serve, groundstrokes, volley, reach and now it is just a question of winning a few matches and he would have that confidence to take him up to the next level.'' The Indian doubles ace said Rohan needs to play percentage tennis on big points and not try and do too many things, which was the crucial reason why he lost today.

About Prakash, Paes said, ''With respect to Aqeel, he always knew Prakash would win. Prakash got himself into a hole in the first two sets but was also able to get out of it very well and then keep control in the third set.'' ''I was always confident that when it comes to the big points, Prakash would be able to win them and that was what happened and he scored a fine come from behind being down 1-4 in the first two sets to win,'' he said.

Paes, however, said he was not satisfied with Prakash's groundstrokes today. ''I felt his groundstrokes were a bit tentative today.'' Paes also allayed any fears of Prakash not being fit for Sunday's reverse singles, saying that he has a bit of cramps, but it is not that serious and he is receiving treatment at the moment and would be ready for April 9.

Pakistan non-playing captain Rashid Malik also expressed satisfaction at the day's result.

To a poser, he said, though in a five set match a few bad calls do not matter in the final result, but they do matter on crucial points like it happened with Aqeel in the second set of his match against Prakash.

Aisam Quereshi, speaking about the humidity factor, felt that being a pofessional player one has to learn to play in all conditions and so it was not that much of a problem.

On his match, Quereshi said he did not expect to win the first two sets so easily. ''Also, Bopanna tried a bit too hard and that helped me as he committed more unforced errors,'' he said.

The Pakistani number one player also felt that the court was a bit damp, but added that it seemed to bother Bopanna more than him.

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