Paes falters at the first hurdle

NEW HAVEN, Aug 12: Indian Davis Cupper Leander Paes made his exit from the US $1.04 million Pilot Pen International Tennis Championship as he went down fighting to America’s David Wheaton, in three sets, in the first round here today.

Leander Paes after losing the first set (3-6) staged a good rally to draw parity winning the next in tie breaker 7-6 (8-6).

However the American proved superior in the third and final set as he made short work of the Indian to emerge winner 6-3, 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.

The American grass-court specialist is making a comeback to the circuit after a two-year lay-off.