India's doubles hope Leander Paes [Images] and Mahesh Bhupathi [Images] were staging a gallant fight against Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman and Simon Aspelin when play was suspended due to bad light in the Davis Cup World Group play-off at the R K Khanna Stadium in New Delhi [Images] on Sunday.

Former world number one pair of Paes and Bhupathi were up a break 3-1 in the second set after the Swedish duo had taken the first set 6-3 when play was called off for the day.

The rubber will resume on Monday followed by the reverse singles.

Earlier, world number 14 Thomas Johansson had given the visitors a decisive 2-0 lead with a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) victory over Rohan Bopanna in the second singles that started on Friday but was halted towards the end of second set due to rains.

Bjorkman won the opening rubber, vanquishing India's number one player Prakash Amritraj 6-4 6-4 6-4 on Friday.

Persistent rains had washed out play on second day.

Paes and Bhupathi saved seven breakpoints before being broken in the eighth game on the former's serve in the first set.

Multiple Grand Slam champion Paes was off colour but Bhupathi provided the much needed spark for the hosts with his irresistible returns and strong serving.

A weak serving game by Jonas Bjorkman helped the Indians stage the recovery and go 3-1 up in the second set.

A double fault followed by some strong net play by Bhupathi and Paes set up the breakpoint. Bhupathi converted it with a bootlace return.

Immediately, the Swedes asked for bad light and umpire Gerry Armstrong of UK obliged.

Paes argued vehemently with ITF Referee Wayne McKwewen of Australia [Images] but his complaints fell on deaf ears.

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