"I thought it was a tough contest, a mental battle of strategy. We dominated the first set and in the second set we had them 15-40 down. But from that stage we started to play safe on our returns. At this level safe returns are not going to win matches our returns let us down a bit today," said Paes after India went down 6-3 3-6 6-7(8-6) 3-6.
"We had five break points in the third set early. Especially at 2-3 the big man (Vardhan) serving 4-2 up it would have been different ball game. Margins were small. He then complimented Vardhan who had to rush down from his home town just two days before the tie to fill in for the injured original singles and doubles choice Saket Myneni.
"I feel very proud of Vishunu fighting for country. He came here 48 hours, so close to the tie, and played his heart out. They had played in the Australian open right through and then had practiced here from Sunday. Still here he fought till the last point.
More From This Section
"Today we dominated the first set against two guys who play doubles for bread and butter. He had Michael Venus in all sorts of trouble and in the second and third. He's playing very good tennis."
Paes also had an indirect dig at higher ranked Rohan Bopanna who did not heed to the last minute SOS sent from here.