The day

October 14, 2001: A 19-year-old Andy Roddick beat Leander Paes in a crucial Davis Cup tie.

The match

Roddick defeated Paes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to give the United States victory over India in a Davis Cup World Group play-off.

The stakes

It was the first time Roddick had won the deciding point in a Davis Cup tie, saving the United States' spot in the World Group.

Andy Roddick

Roddick was born in 1982, a 2000 junior world champion, and ranked world No 15 by October 2001.

Leander Paes

Paes, born in 1973, was an Indian Olympic bronze medalist and ranked world No 232 in singles by October 2001.

The venue

The match was held at the LJVM Coliseum in Winston Salem, North Carolina, a venue with a capacity of 14,000 spectators.

The context

The United States had lost to Switzerland in the first round, leading to a World Group Qualifying Round against India.

The first day

Roddick defeated world No 738 Harsh Mankad 6-3, 6-4, 6-1, and James Blake beat Paes 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.

The doubles

Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won their doubles match 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 against Jared Palmer and Donald Johnson.

The final match

Roddick won the final match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 after Paes took the first set.

The reaction

Paes said, 'Andy just hit with too much pace for me,' while Roddick noted the emotional impact of playing for his country.

“Andy just hit with too much pace for me”

The aftermath

Roddick would reach world No 1 at the US Open in 2003, while Paes focused on doubles after retiring from singles.