Doubles won, India go up 2-1

The two nations split the singles matches yesterday and will play reverse singles matches tomorrow. The winner will advance to September8217;s playoff ties for the World Group.

In today8217;s doubles, Paes and Bhupathi took control early. India broke serve in the first set to go up 3-1 before winning the next three games.

Japan desperately tried to get back in the match. India took a 4-1 lead in the third set but Shimada and Terachi battled back to win the next five games. 8216;8216;We lost our concentration there after being up 4-1 in the third,8217;8217; said Bhupathi. 8216;8216;We were winning so easily that maybe we let up a bit and allowed them to get back in the game. But at the end of the day we got the win and that8217;s what counts.8217;8217;

India also took a commanding 3-0 lead in the final set, but Japan fought back to make it 5-5. Paes and Bhupathi held serve to go up 6-5 and then broke serve to close out the victory in 2 hours and 9 minutes.

Paes said the pressure is now clearly on the hosts. 8216;8216;Japan has to win both matches tomorrow and that8217;s never easy to do,8217;8217; added Paes. 8216;8216;There is a lot of pressure on them now.8217;8217;