Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi believe that the chemistry between them is still working and it could play a big role in their quest for an Olympic medal in the men's doubles at the Olympic tennis event.
The estranged Indian pair, who reunited for the mega event after a gap of more than two years, runs into a tough team in Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish of the United States in the first round on Monday but are confident of overcoming the first hurdle.
Dubbed the 'Indian Express' during their sensational association which saw them win as many as 23 titles, the pair feel "nothing has changed".
"It is exactly the same as earlier, nothing really has changed. It has not affected our coordination. We are doing our best. We hope that we can do well in the Olympics," Bhupathi said.
His 31-year-old partner could not agree more as they prepared for the first round match of a draw which has not been really favourable for them.
"We won the Masters in Toronto at the start of this month. It shows that we are still gelling well, which is the most important thing. We are confident of doing well in the Olympics," Paes said.
"We have been working very hard, preparing for the Olympics. It is an important week for us and I hope that everything goes well," he said.
Paes, who has produced some incredible wins for the country in the Davis Cup arena, said representing the country gives him that extra zing so important to get the adrenalin flowing.
"Playing for the country is always different. It gives me a high; it always helps me to give my best. I won a bronze medal in the Atlanta Games, hoping to add another Olympic medal to my kitty," Paes said.
Both Bhupathi and Paes admitted that their first round rivals, Roddick and Fish, pose a formidable obstacle.
"They are an unorthodox pair; a tough opening hurdle," Paes said.
"It's the toughest possible draw that you can have. But we are not complaining, we are quite prepared," Bhupathi, ranked fifth in the world in doubles, said.
"We are taking one match at a time. Let's see how it goes," Bhupathi said.
If the Indian duo cross the first hurdle, they will clash with the winner of the Roger Federer/Yves Allegro (Switzerland) vs Marcin Matkowski/Mariusz Fyrstenberg (Poland) match in the second round.
The pair warmed up for the Olympics by winning the Toronto Maters title barely 13 days before the start of the Games and will be looking to find the form of 1999 that saw them reach all four Grand Slam finals, winning the French Open and Wimbledon.
