Leander Paes looks good, but Davis Cup team not finalised: Mahesh Bhupathi

Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi

Mahesh Bhupathi

Bangalore: India's non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi yesterday said he will assess Leander Paes before deciding on the team composition for their Davis Cup tie against Uzbekistan on Friday.

"The team has not yet been finalised. I have seen Leander for the first time. Let us see how it goes," he told said.

Bhupathi added that Paes looked rejuvenated. "He looks fresh. He looks good. He is going to play some sets and then let us see," he said.

India's tennis ace Leander Paes

Bhupathi said the conditions in Mexico, where Paes won the Challengers Trophy, are similar to the ones here. "Yeah, (it) definitely helps, for Leander played in similar conditions in Mexico," he said.

Bhupathi said Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin and Yuki Bhambari's absence has evened out the tie. "For the last two days we were hearing Istomin will not be coming. For us, losing Yuki was a big blow, but after Istomin's exit, the tie looks evenly poised," he said. Asked if the tie has lost it's charm, Bhupathi said. "I don't know if Yuki was the charm or India playing in Bangalore is the charm, that we will see when the players come out on Friday," he said.