WITHOUT ever playing at their best, Greg Rusedski and Oxfordshire's Tim Henman put Great Britain in charge of their Davis Cup World Group qualifying round tie against India at Nottingham yesterday.

Britain gained a 2-0 lead when Rusedski beat Leander Paes 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 11-9 in the opening rubber, and then Henman defeated Mahesh Bhupathi 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Rusedski, in particular, showed great courage after Paes had served for the match at 5-4 and 6-5 in the final set and missed a match point in the 12th game.

British captain David Lloyd was keeping his own counsel regarding his doubles pairing.

Lloyd had nominated Tim Henman and Neil Broad, who won the silver medal in the Atlanta Olympics, to play Paes and Bhupathi, knowing that victory will give Britain a winning 3-0 lead and a place in the top 16 nations next year.

But Paes and Bhupathi are ranked three in the world in doubles. So Lloyd was toying with the idea of playing his two best players, Henman and Rusedski, in this vital rubber.

But win or lose today, Britain should certainly win the tie. Rusedski must be a hot favourite to overcome Bhupathi and Henman should also beat Paes.

Neither British star played to his full potential, but

Henman said today: "I have no idea who David will play in the doubles. I know Neil and I are down to play but you never know.

"I'm perfectly happy to play both singles and doubles though I know it will be tough whoever plays. We shall be the underdogs today. Paes and Bhupathi are one of the best pairs in the world." NET GAIN: Tim Henman volleys a winner during his victory over Mahesh Bhupathi which gave Britain a 2-0 lead over India

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.