New Delhi: India had to once again rely on its ‘miracle man’ Leander Paes to give the healing touch in a Davis Cup tie and the tennis star obliged with yet another sparkling performance.

Paes helped India recover and square the score 1-1 at the end of the first day of the Asia-Oceania Group ‘I’ first round tie against Japan at the R K Khanna Stadium on Friday.

After Rohan Bopanna had gone down to Gouichi Motomura 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (4-7), 3-6 in the first singles rubber in the morning on Friday, Paes scored an effortless and efficient 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 victory over Takao Suzuki in the second singles.

The doubles tie on Saturday will once again prove critical for the hosts who will look forward to its star combination of Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to pull them through.

The question put forward by the Japanese coach Jun Kamiwazumi at the end of the day summed up the visitors' exasperation as well as Paes' exploits on the centre court.

"Why does Paes play so well in Davis Cup, he is only ranked outside the 1000s on ATP rankings? Is it because he eats lot of curry-rice?" the Japanese coach asked.

Paes himself would not answer the question but the flag-bearer of Indian tennis put it on the technicalities and his passion for the game while playing for the country as the motivating factor.

PTI