Sinha confident Paes-Bhupathi will team up for Davis Cup

All India Tennis Association president Yashwant Sinha on Monday expressed confidence that the Indian doubles duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will perform to the best of their abilities in the Davis Cup despite recent hitches in their partnership.

Paes and Bhupathi ended their partnership, which had brought them two Grand Slam titles, for the second time in their career and have chosen different partners.

Speaking at a prize distribution ceremony of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association in Mumbai, Sinha noted that Paes and Bhupathi had always given the best no matter their differences professionally or otherwise. ''I am sure that both will continue to do so when India meet New Zealand in the away Davis Cup match,'' he said.

He opined that both the players have over the years developed understanding and it would not go away suddenly and also there was no immediate need to talk to them on this subject.

''Anyway they have assured me that both will play together in doubles event whenever they represent India,'' he added.

Paes and Bhupathi, heavily attached with their own fathers even in tennis matters, had separated few years ago though that time some personal reasons were mentioned. But last month they again parted ways and picked different partners with whom they have not jelled. This time though Bhupathi's father has announced that the separation was due to fall in the duo's progress.

Sinha admitted that playing together internationally is always an advantage and hoped that both will soon sort out their problems.