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The body was willing but the spirit was weak

It was the match many tennis lovers were waiting for -- the first round of the US Open mens' doubles, which saw Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi team up again to stake their claim to a crown that, just a short while ago, had perched firmly on their heads.

Between then and now, they lost that special understanding they shared. And with it, the crown. Their slide was rapid - a phenomenon characteristic of the world of top flight tennis.

Perhaps it was too much to expect them, on this comeback, to entrance us with yet another trademark display of guile, skill and camaraderie. Perhaps they need more time to find the formula that helped them vanquish higher ranked opponents, and which they have now misplaced.

But yesterday, the two Indians lost to adversaries so clearly inferior to them that it prompted the commentator to remark that the dazed South Americans, who must have booked an early flight home when they drew Paes-Bhupathi, would have to unpack and re-book themselves into the hotel.

If reputations could win matches, our two lads from home would have been taking on the Woodies in the third round and romping back with the cup. But past laurels, like friendship, when once dismissed are reluctant to return - they cannot be summoned to heel like a minion, or a pet dog. It was thus sad to see the two warriors stand so close together, and yet, seem so far apart that you yearned to put them together in a room with a good counselor. The smiles were missing, replaced by heavy frowns. On the other side of the net, their adversaries, so insignificant in the beginning, seemed to gain in stature as the game progressed.

That was hardly a surprise. Tennis can be unforgiving when you are on the losing end. More returns find the net, placings go wild and suddenly every shot played by the opponent seems to leave you standing. In doubles especially, it is imperative that one of the two carry the other along even if he/she feels the other is coming apart. If both partners hang their heads, it's more or less over.

Surprisingly, it was Leander who seemed the more vulnerable despite being the fitter player. After winning the first set quite easily and losing the second unconvincingly, the Indians caved in inexplicably in the third. Leander could not manage to hold any of his serves! A pensive Vijay Amritraj, who was predicting the Indians prevailing when they were 2-1 up in the third set, and then saw them lose the next five games, for once seemed to have nothing much to say.

The defeat was disheartening, yes. But having said that, I found much to cheer about. For one, just the fact that the two of them are together again is grounds for optimism. If they did it once, they can do it again. Their strengths are still visible. Like Leander's spectacular cross-court shots and Mahesh's reflexes at the net. Corny as it may sound, what made my dil ask for more was the I-formation manoeuvre they used - a regular feature before their split. The only other team I know that uses it more effectively, and oftener, are the Woodies.

The 'I' is not easy, it requires absolute trust in the partner's serve, and perfect timing. The formation consists of the non-serving partner squatting in the middle of the center-line and then, just before the return, jumping up and moving either right or left according to a pre-arranged plan. It's designed to catch the return at the net. Twice yesterday, Leander intercepted perfectly to slam the ball back and take the point.

As a tennis player (an amateur one) I know how hard, in fact virtually impossible, it is to get this manouvre right. The greats can do it with élan and Leander and Mahesh come under this category.

And I figure, if they can still do it, then there is hope. The way it looked to me, the body seemed to be functioning well - what was missing was the spirit. Hopefully, they'll rediscover their synergy, and fast. Because Time, and the ATP rankings, don't hold still for anyone.

Sujata Prakash