"Let's not start a new controversy between Leander (Paes) and me now," said Mahesh Bhupathi, almost immediately after his former partner's name had cropped up, palpably keen on avoiding a fresh war-of-words.
"There has been no controversy in the past two years," explained the doubles ace, in an obvious reference to the much publicised rebellion against Paes's Davis Cup captaincy that ended with the latter's resignation.
Instead, Bhupathi, a winner of 11 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles, set his sight on winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal with his ex-partner at New Delhi later this year.
"We will be playing for the nation in the Commonwealth Games," said the 35-year-old. "India is in with a great chance to sweep all tennis medals at stake.
"It has become prestigious event for us because it is being played in our own backyard for the first time," he said.
Bhupathi reiterated that he believes he and Paes is the best combination to win the gold.
Meanwhile the veteran, in partnership with compatriot Rohan Bopanna, eased into the last eight of the Chennai Open with a 6-3, 7-6 win over American pair of James Cerretani and Travis Rettenmaier in a match that was completed on Thursday after unexpected rain had brought it to a close a day earlier.
And at the year's first major -- the Australian Open, the only major (men's doubles) title that he has never won, Bhupathi will team up with Belarussian Max Mirnyi.
"Last year, Mark (Knowles) and I came pretty close but couldn't finish things," he recalled. "So, I would love to accomplish it this year.
"And the Chennai Open is a big opportunity for me to warm-up for that big one," added Bhupathi.
