India beat Thailand; Korea in final

Davis Cupper Syed Fazaluddin sent down some booming services to win his singles match and then combined well with doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi to help India defeat a spirited Thailand 2-1 and keep the hosts' challenge alive in the ATF Asia Cup tennis tournament in Delhi.

Fazaluddin, who was made to look ordinary by the Koreans on Wednesday, bounced back in style, winning the first singles against Attapol Rithiwattanapon, the Thai number two, 6-4, 6-3 to put India 1-0 ahead.

The national grasscourt champion then returned to action in company of Bhupathi for the crucial doubles tie and the Indian duo made mincemeat of the Thai players, winning the rubber 6-3, 6-0 in 55 minutes.

Thailand pulled one back when their top player Danai Udomchoke defeated India No.1 Harsh Mankad 6-1, 6-3 in the second singles to keep interest in the three-match tie of the $90,000 event alive.

On the side courts, a relentless Korea continued with their success as they blanked China 3-0 to ensure their place in the final of the four-team competition.

Korea rested their top player Hyung-Taik Lee giving Seung -Hun Lee a chance to show his mettle.

Lee needed just 1 hour and 17 minutes to overwhelm Wang Yu of China 6-2, 6-3 before Yong-Il Yoon edged past Zhang Yu 6-3, 7-5 to give Korea a winning 2-0 lead.

In the inconsequential doubles tie, Hyung-Taik Lee and Seung-Hun Lee defeated the pair of Wang and Zhang 6-1 7-6 (7/5).