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Pressure brings best in me: Paes
Within sniffing distance of a medal, India's tennis duo are determined to go all the way, saying they have the experience to handle the pressure of big matches.
Having put themselves within sniffing distance of an Olympic medal, India's star tennis pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are determined to go the whole distance, saying they have the experience to handle the pressure of big matches.
The Indians had no difficulty in disposing of the fourth seeded pair of Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe with a straight set verdict in the quarterfinals yesterday and will now take on the unseeded pair of Nicholas Kiefer and Rainer Schuettler of Germany in the semi-finals on Thursday at the Olympic Tennis Centre.
The two estranged friends have shown glimpses of their old magic and have not lost serve in the three matches they have played so far.
"We have been through very tough situations, down match points but we have recovered well. I think we are ready. We just have to continue playing the way we have done" Bhupathi said.
When Paes was asked whether he felt an additional pressure since he had won a bronze in the Atlanta Games in 1996, the seasoned campaigner shot back "pressure, what pressure. I have been there for so many years, done that. I love pressure situations as it brings the best in me."
"It is a team out here, It is not about me, it is about us. We love to keep each other happy," Paes said.
The two former partners have encouraged each other on the court and the occasional shoulder-butting, which had symbolised their rein at the top in the doubles circuit a few years back, was again seen on Wednesday for a couple of times, reminiscent of the old days.