Paes, Bhupathi agree to play doubles together

Doha, Dec 6 (UNI) Peace returned to the beleaguered Indian tennis camp here with top two players Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi agreeing to a truce brokered by the worried officials.

After one-and-half-day-long suspense, it was finally announced here this evening that the two warring players have agreed to put behind their differences for the present and will play together in the doubles event of the tennis competition at the Asian Games.

How long this fragile truce will last is any body's guess, but if the duo plays in the same manner as they did against Chinese Taipei then the Indian fans here can expect another round of disappointment.

Bhupathi and Paes went through the trials session in the morning, and it was announced in the evening that the duo will indeed feature in the doubles, putting an end to all the speculations that they have decided not to play together here.

Paes had created quiet a commotion by questioning Bhupathi's commitment in the team event which India lost 1-2 to Chinese Taipei and had asked his partner to rethink on whether he was serious in playing the doubles event.

Bhupathi's fitness was also questioned as his movements were suspect in that match and that is why he was subjected to a trials session this morning where his fitness was assessed by the team management.

''I spoke to All India Tennis Association (AITA) officials and selectors and gave them my personal opinion and left it to them to take the decision. I told them that I will abide by their decision,'' Paes said, adding that ''I was told to play with Bhupathi and I have no problem in that.'' He said he wanted to forget the past and look forward to the future so that ''we can win a medal for the country here.'' ''I always give my best when I play for my country and hoped that past happenings will be forgotten and we will be able to write a new chapter here,'' he added.

Both Bhupathi and Paes worked out together at the trials session and were later seen having an animated conversation at the tennis complex here.

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