Paes-Sipaeya duo keep India in contention

Leander Paes and Sunil Kumar Sipaeya won the crucial doubles rubber to help India narrow the deficit against Uzbekistan in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 first round tie here today. Paes and debutant Sipaeya defeated Farrukh Dustov and Denis Istomin 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 at the Pahlavon Sports complex.

The hosts now have a 2-1 lead, having won the opening singles matches yesterday. Denis Istomin won the first rubber against Vivek Shokeen in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, 6-3, and Farrukh Dustov defeated Karan Rastogi 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

World group results

First round; Day Two

Czech Republic 1, United States 2; Austria 1, Argentina 2; Germany 2, Croatia 1; Belgium 2, Australia 1; Belarus 0, Sweden 2; Switzerland 1, Spain 1; France 2, Romania 0; Chile 0, Russia 2