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Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006
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Leander & Aisam — energy unlimited

Nandakumar Marar

The Indian made the first move by calling up the Pakistani

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO: There will be no dearth of excitement when Leander and Aisam play together. — Photo: AFP

MUMBAI: Leander Paes, adept in reflex volleys at the net, also has a knack of breathing excitement into the doubles competition in tennis where singles exponents are the crowd-pullers. Aisam Qureshi, as partner for the Kingfisher Airlines Open, is one such intuitive move.

Both feed off each other's energies, have a healthy respect for the other's abilities and the bonding between them is such that it will not be a surprise if a sport obsessed with serves turns into a spectacle.

Leander made the first move in the form of a telephone call. Aisam, slated to partner Rohan Bopanna in the Mumbai ATP event, grabbed the opportunity to team up with a doubles maestro. A probable second round match-up between this India-Pakistan combine against the Mahesh Bhupathi-Mario Ancic duo is worth waiting for.

How it happened

Martin Damm made it possible by opting out of the Mumbai tournament for technical reasons. Leander explains: "He would have had to come here after playing the Davis Cup in Holland on indoor clay, that too in fall when the weather is cold. The adjustment to Mumbai conditions and court would have been tough on him," said the Indian doubles ace.

"I wanted to team up with Mahesh but he had already committed to Mario. So, I got in touch with the ATP supervisor to know the list of players here and saw Aisam's name."

Leander, aware of the Pakistani's slump in form, is confident of lifting him up. "I am looking forward to passing on the confidence in me after the U.S. Open. At this point, the motivation is about doing well with a new partner."

Aisam, teaming up with a close friend and tennis rival on the Davis Cup arena, is aware of the realities. "I will try my best not to let Leander down. I will try to improve so that he picks me for more tournaments. It is great to play with a top player."

Lucky break

Aisam, with a Tour singles ranking of 443, entered the doubles event after his request for a wildcard was turned down.

"I had asked for a singles wildcard during the India-Pakistan Davis Cup zonal tie at the CCI. Bopanna was the first choice, then the call from Leander came.

"It is a great honour to be teaming up with Leander," said the powerful Pakistani, rated highly by the quicksilver Indian. "It is an honour to play with Aisam because of the way he has always carried himself," Leander said.

Formidable combinations

Leander will focus on men's doubles and mixed doubles at the Doha Asian Games, the singles not an option on his list now.

"I don't wish to dilute my energy playing too many events. Mahesh (Bhupathi) and me in doubles makes us a formidable combination at the Asian level. Then me and Sania (Mirza) in the mixed doubles is already a bronze medal pair and we will be looking for ways to improve upon that performance."

He hopes to extend the Asian Games connection with Mahesh to the Tour. "I wouldn't put that beyond us," replied Leander to a query about future doubles partners.

Both are enjoying a high now, Leander winning the U.S. Open with Martin Damm and Mahesh lifting the Beijing Open doubles crown in Mario Ancic's company the very next week.

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