Paes explains agony of pulling India through once again

Mumbai, Apr 9 (UNI) An emotionally and physically drained Leander Paes was at pains to describe the agony he went through before pulling India through to a thrilling 3-2 win over Pakistan in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup tie at the CCI here today.

Speaking to reporters after he lifted India out of an hole once again, Paes said it had been an emotionally draining week looking after his new born daughter and Rhea in the hospital and then coming back to blend with the boys.

On the performance of his boys, he said he was still very proud of them for the hard work they had put it and even thought that Prakash would have sealed the match for India in the fourth rubber itself if he could have won the fourth set agaist Aisam, who was cramping. It would have been difficult for the Pakistani number one to be able to sustain himself in the fifth. But it was not to be.

Speaking about the fifth rubber, Paes said that ''we decided to go with him due to his experience of playing in a live fifth rubber as against leaving Rohan Bopanna exposed.'' Paes also revealed that the fifth set was not about tennis at all.

It was about emotions, your heart and your patriotism. I also tried to move Aqeel around playing drop shots and lobs instead of going for winners to be able to tire the opponent out. It worked as Aqeel also took a medical time out in the fifth and from there on I knew I would win.

Speaking about the state of the game in India, Paes said that the main problem is ''we are lacking a good steady singles player. Both Prakash and Rohan have been working hard and are improving, but till the time they are ready to take on the mantle and get confidence with a few more wins under their belt, we would struggle in the singles, which is are main problem.'' Speaking about the Pakistanis, Paes said that he doffed his hat at them for the way they fought over here. ''I really felt bad for Aqeel today as I have gone through what he must be feeling at the moment.'' On his experience on court, Aisam said during the third set he started cramping and it was the team decision to go easy in the third and fourth set.

''This also allowed time for the medication I had taken for my cramps to have effect as the medication usually takes upto 30 minutes to set in and take effect.'' UNI GS VJ VP0025