KARACHI: There was double joy for Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi as he not only clinched the doubles event of the Paris Masers, partnering Rohan Bopanna of India, but also moved closer to confirming a place at next year’s London Olympics.
In the final, Aisam and Bopanna faced little resistance as they downed the French duo of Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and five minutes to win their first ATP Masters tournament – the pair’s third title of the season. Aisam also won the Thailand Open with Austrian player Oliver Marach earlier this year.
The victory in Paris propelled Aisam to ninth spot in the players’ individual doubles rankings and all the Pakistani now has to do is to keep his place in the top 10 till May 2012 to confirm his place in the London Olympics.
Aisam, who has already qualified with Bopanna for the London Masters that start on November 20, said the Indo-Pak pair’s third title of the current season also put to bed the notion that the duo choked in crucial games. “We’ve proved a lot of people wrong this year,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “A lot of people said we can’t win the finals in big events. I’ve achieved all my goals
this year.
“We won our first ATP Masters tournament and I got my rankings back in the top 10. Our team rankings will be in the top five and we’ll get to play the London Masters. We missed out on a Grand Slam but I’m confident that we will win one next year.”
Aisam said his goal was to maintain a place in the top 10 till May, which will guarantee him a London ticket. “I need to maintain my ranking till May and I’ll ensure I play in the Olympics.”
Aqeel sets sights on Olympics
While Aisam aims to reach the last-eight at the London Masters to consolidate a place in the Olympics, back home Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan is also setting his sights on partnering the tennis ace.
Aqeel seems to be the obvious choice to partner Aisam at the Olympics and has said he needed to improve his game for Pakistan to stand a good chance.
“I’ve spoken to him and we’re focusing on the OIympics, provided he manages to stay in the top 10. His win at the Paris Masters has just made me feel that I’ve got to improve a lot.”
Federer claims maiden title
Meanwhile, former world number one Roger Federer won the singles event, capturing his maiden Paris Masters title with a 6-1, 7-6 win against local favourite and sixth-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The Swiss third-seed became only the second player after Andre Agassi with titles at Roland Garros and Bercy – the two men’s Paris tournaments – thanks to an 85-minute display of sheer brilliance.
Federer raced to a 4-0 lead and bagged the opening set in 30 minutes against a hapless Tsonga thanks to his sharp first serve and devastating forehand.
The Frenchman fought back in the second set, threatening to break on two occasions, but the contest was eventually thrown into a tiebreak which Federer won 7-3. with additional input from reuters
Aisamul Haq
“We won our first ATP Masters tournament and I got my rankings back in the top 10. Our team rankings will be in the top five and we’ll get to play the London Masters. We missed out on a Grand Slam but I’m confident that we will win one next year.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2011.
COMMENTS (25)
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@rikky: You should read carefully what others have written, before commenting on them. Aisam is a great role model for the youth in PAKISTAN. Shahid's comment was, for the most part, regarding Pakistan. You Indians can show your superiority in whatever ways you want. The fact is that the youth in Pakistan is starting to bring a change and Aisam is a great example of that. What the 2 generations before us have done to this country, will inshaAllah be reversed by the youth and not only that, the hard work and dedication will take Pakistan to great heights inshaAllah.
That's the way to go ... Superb
Bravo.......
@rikky: Dude, if you read carefully, I mean that these 2 guys have done something for tennis in the WHOLE of the sub-continent. Maybe you forget, but Pakistan is also a part of the sub-continent. Before Aisam, no coverage was given to tennis in Pakistan. Aisam and Bopanna together have created interest in tennis here like never before. You can go and live in your own little world in India.
Great news and congratulations. Aisam, the real Pakistani ambassador.
An inspirational athlete! Bravo! :)
@Ayaz Munir: This is just a fraction of the potential that an Indo Pak jointly can achieve. Hopefully our govts are listening....
You make us proud boys!! you sexy little things!
P.S. I m just hungry.
You make us so proud.
All the best for London.
Congratulations , Shabash , Dhannebad :)<3<3
Beautifulllllllll
Congratulations to the duo and both nations!
The tag of 'EXPRESS' should now be changed to 'SUPERFAST'. Congratulations to the duo.
@Shahid: What nonsense India had and has lots of tennis stars who has done lot for tennis in India and in Asia.Vijay Amritraj,ahesh Bhupathi, Ramanathan Krishnan,Ramesh Krishnan,Leander Paes,Sania Mirza..
kudos
Awesome work, would now love to see em winning the London Masters.
congratulations,,,, Dr.Q
This is awesome! These guys have done for tennis in the sub-continent, that nobody else could. They are great role models for the youth in both the countries. I hope tennis becomes a much-watched sport in the country and that big tournaments can be played here too!
Cha gaya o...great Asam...May u win a Grand Slam.
great ambassador..
wah g
This is a great win. The Paris masters is a very prestigious tournament and winning the doubles finals is a great achievement.
Congratulations!!!! :D