LONDON, JUNE 24: India number two Mahesh Bhupathi gave some anxious moments to French Open champion Carlos Moya before going down fighting in a five-set thriller in the first round of the men's singles event at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship here today.Bhupathi came to the verge of making history at the All England Championship when he nearly knocked out the fifth seeded Spaniard in a cliff-hanger 4-6 6-4 5-6 2-6 3-6 three-hour marathon.The 24-year-old Bhupathi, ranked 325 in the world and playing his second Wimbledon in a row as a qualifier, stretched the French Open champion to the extreme but wilted under the superior service returns of the fifth-seeded Spaniard.On the outside court, his doubles partner Leander Paes disappointed the Indian fans when he was completelty outplayed by Wayne Black of Zimbabwe 4-6 5-7 4-6.Indian challenge at the singles event thus ended in the first round itself, but the two will combine to lay claim on the doubles title.Bhupathi matched his fancied Spanishopponent ace for ace and cross court volleys in a see-saw marathon battle, but in the end was undone by his erratic serving the Indian finding it hard to put his first serves in.Experts described the first set of the clash as titanic which went with serve till Moya got two crucial breaks in the third and sixth games to take the lead.Though Bhupathi retaliated breaking Moya's booming serves in the fifth game, it was too late as the Spanish star went on to hold his tenth serve to win the set 6-4.Bhupathi recaptured his form in the second set breaking Moya's serve twice to take it set at 6-4. Moya required just one break in the third set, which otherwise went with serves, to win it 6-4 and lead 2-1.Bhupathi was at his best in the fourth set when he completely outplayed his Spanish opponent, ranked number five in the world, with neat cross court shots and measured drop shots. Enjoying two service breaks, Bhupathi wrapped up the set 6-2 in 20 minutes to set up the do or die duel in the fifth set.Inthe decider, the Spaniard showing his recent French Open form and went on to wrap up the ninth game to move into the second round.
