Veteran Leander Paes led from the front as India seized a decisive 3-0 lead over Indonesia on Saturday to avoid relegation in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania tie. Paes, taking part in his 50th Cup tie, partnered Sanam Singh to an easy 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 win over the Indonesian pair of Elbert Sie and David Susanto in Bangalore. The win extended India's unbeaten run against Indonesia in Davis Cup ties to 6-0 and ensured they remain in the zonal group one next year.
Indonesia will have to defeat Taiwan in September to avoid being relegated to group two. Paes, who turns 40 in June, played with the same enthusiasm that marked his Davis Cup debut in 1990. He has so far played 120 matches in the tournament with a 48-22 record in singles and 40-10 in doubles.
Paes, who won a singles bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics before becoming a formidable doubles player, said he felt fit enough to look forward to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. "My passion for the game and the privilege of representing India are the biggest motivating factors for me," he said. "I feel good enough to play for another three years." India had won both the opening singles in straight sets on Friday with Somdev Devvarman beating Wisnu Adi Nugroho and Yuki Bhambri taking care of Christopher Rungkat.