Paes wants US Davis tie postponed

Leander Paes thinks India's Davis Cup World Group play-off against the United States next week should be postponed following Tuesday's terror attacks in New York and Washington DC.

"At the moment the situation is such, there is not going to be any sports event or entertainment in the U.S. I foresee the Cup tie being postponed. I would most definitely welcome that," Paes said over phone on Thursday.

India is scheduled to play its World Group play-off tie in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from September 21-23.

"It will be tough for players from both sides to focus on the tie soon after such a tragedy," said Paes, who returned to India in the early hours of Tuesday morning after playing in the U.S. Open.

Paes partnered American Lisa Raymond to the mixed doubles final after he and Mahesh Bhupathi lost in first round of the men's doubles.

Indian officials will meet the United States Tennis Association on Friday to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the tie.

Paes said he was in touch with Bhupathi, who is in New York, and non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan, who had reached Washington before the attacks took place.

"I spoke to both of them. They are safe. We are all waiting for the decision," he said.

Paes said if the tie is put off, the USTA would have to find another week convenient to both sides later this year.

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