Aisam loses out to Bopanna for Madrid Open semi-finals

Aisam lost out to the team of his former partner at the Madrid Open. PHOTO: FILE AFP

MADRID: After having overcome one of his biggest nemesis in men’s double tennis, the Bryan brothers, Aisamul Haq Qureshi lost out to his former partner Rohan Bopanna in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.

Qureshi, and partner, Dutch tennis player Jean-Julien Rojer, lost to the all Indian pair of Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupatti, lost a closely fought match 7-6, 7-6.

The hour and 45 minute match promised more than just a place in the semi-finals, but also bragging rights. Qureshi had for long partnered with Bopanna, a partnership which had taken them as far as the US Open Men’s doubles final.

The duo of Qureshi and Rojer had earlier on Thursday defeated top-seeds and favourites Bob and Mike Bryan 4-6, 6-4, 18-16 in the second round of the Madrid Open.

Aisam and Rojer saved five match-points against their opponents, ensuring the one-hour-32-minute match swayed in both directions before the Bryans, the most successful doubles team in the sport, had their fate sealed by the rejuvenated pair who has now won 11 of their 20 matches this year.