Before Rio, Paes-Bopanna guide India to World group playoff

Rio-bound doubles duo of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna defeated South Korean pair of Hong Chung and Seong Chan Hong 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 as the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup tie here on Saturday.

Both Paes and Bopanna dominated the proceedings at the Chandigarh Club against the Koreans to help India qualify for World Group play-offs.

Earlier, Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan overcame tough conditions and difficult opponents to win their respective singles matches and hand India a comfortable 2-0 lead on the opening day here on Friday.

On Saturday, Paes and Bopanna gained valuable match practice before pairing up for the Rio Olympics next month. In a match that lasted an hour and 40 minutes, Bopanna's big serving was put to good use with 12 aces coming between the Indian pairing.

Despite managing to convert only four of the 20 break points chances, the Indian duo edged past the Koreans with ease. But both Paes and Bopanna will be wary of the poor conversion rate, which may affect their prospects in Rio.

On the other hand, the visitors had six break point chances but could only convert once in the third set, as incidentally all the chances came in the final set.

Leander, in the process, has equalled tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli's record of 42 doubles wins in Davis Cup history.

The World Group playoff tie will be played in September.

--IANS

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