``The first set was easy, but the second one was tough. Mahesh started serving better, volleying well. I was a bit lucky to get through in straight sets,'' said the Australian talking to reporters after the match.

Fromberg differs from the rest of the Australians in his approach to the game. Australia has a tradition of producing serve and volleyers. At present, Rafter, Philippoussis and Stoltenberg are out and out net rushers. In contrast to that, Fromberg likes to serve big and stays in the baseline waiting for a weak return and pounds inside out forehand winners, a la Jim Courier which is quite effective.

The 28-year-old Tasmanian, who knocked out Carlos Moya in '98 Australian Open, turning his best performance in the Grand Slams, reaching the pre-quarterfinals, was happy about the conditions in Chennai. ``I don't mind playing in humid conditions. I'm used to that. Iprepared well. The courts are nice,'' praised Fromberg.

``Mahesh can be a good singles player on a fast court. He was going for everything today. He was attacking all the time. So it's difficult to get into rhythm.''

``I'm playing for the first match in five months. I have lost a lot of points. It's not correct to have expectations. Anyway I will be happy If I can get into top 50 by the end of the year,'' said Fromberg.

Fromberg, who has four career titles in the ATP Tour, likes playing in clay courts and hard courts. He will be competing in the clay court season in Europe after this event.

After looking invisible in the first set, Bhupathi threatened Fromberg with his aggressive approach in the second which unsettled his adversary, but that was the maximum, Bhupathi could do. He looked recovered from his injury and with a little bit of luck, the match could have gone to the decider.

``I have fully recovered from my injury, but Fromberg was serving two to three aces every game. So it wasdifficult,'' said Mahesh.

``I don't know what it takes to win a Grand Slam in doubles because we haven't done it yet. We have reached semifinals four times and final once.''

Memories of '97 came when Paes lost the first set to qualifier Andres Zingman. Fortunately, for the Chennai crowd, Paes, who was struggling initially, got back his rhythm and returned well to keep Indian hopes alive.

``The first match in Chennai is always tough. You are playing a guy who has already played two matches. I am playing well, I was able to overcome obstacles, change of climate,'' said Paes.

``For the first two sets, Zingman played fabulous tennis, serving and volleying efficiently,'' reflected Paes. ``I feel pretty strong at the moment and showing aggressiveness. It's a nice feeling after a long time,'' said the confident Indian.

To a query as to the turning point of the match, ``Holding serve after being 0-40 down in the first game of the second set was a huge turning point,'' said Paes with ingenuity.

Paes wasnot too bothered about his ranking and shot back strongly, ``I am not worried about the ranking, I am working hard. If I can stay fit, ranking will take care of itself.''

On his possible second round match with Byron Black: ``He has beaten me a couple of times, so am I. We know each other's game very well. He is a top class player and it should be a tough match,'' said Paes.