Invercargill (New Zealand): Captain Leander Paes led India to a 3-2 win over New Zealand in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 first round tennis today (Feb 8, 2004), beating Simon Rea in four sets in the second reverse singles.

Paes, who won his opening singles against New Zealand No 1 Mark Nielsen on Feb 6 and took the doubles on Feb 7 with Mahesh Bhupathi, decided the match in India's favour when he beat Rea 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 at the Southland Stadium.

Paes is on a comeback after undergoing surgery in Florida last August for a non-malignant brain lesion.

India entered the final day with a 2-1 lead but found themselves under pressure when Nielsen won the first reverse singles 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 over newcomer Vishal Punna.

Paes decided to nominate Punna after Indian No 1 Harsh Mankad struggled on the fast court surface in the opening singles.

Under greater pressure when he quickly conceded the first set to Rae, Paes ground out a vital service break in the second, then swept through the last two sets as Rae faltered.

India will play the winner of the Japan-Indonesia match at Jakarta in the second round of the Asia-Oceania zone.