NEW YORK: India’s chances in Davis Cup World Group play-off received a setback after Leander Paes’ back spasms during his US Open men’s doubles quarterfinal made him a doubtful starter for the tie.
He also pulled out of his mixed doubles semifinal with Elena Vesnina.
Third-seeded Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the runners-up in 1999, lost 4-6, 6-7 (7/4) to sixth-seeded Polish duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski on Thursday.
India are scheduled to play Japan in Tokyo from Sep 16-18 for a place in the World Group next season. The partnership of Paes and Bhupathi for the doubles rubber is key to India’s chances in the tie.
“Rough day for Leander, back spasms during the doubles. Out of mixed and now in doubt for Davis cup too,” Bhupathi wrote on Twitter.
The loss of the “Indian Express” pairing of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi leaves Rohan Bopanna as the only Indian in the men’s draw.
Bopanna-Qureshi, were leading 7-5, 2-6, 6-5 against the English pair Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins when rain stopped play. (Agencies)