Davis Cup: Aisam, Aqeel victorious in doubles match

Pakistan still lagging behind Philippines 2-1 in Group II round-two tie.

KARACHI:

Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan won the doubles rubber in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie against Philippines in Manila on Saturday.

The duo defeated Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 in the third match of the tie.

The doubles rubber is usually the crucial match for Pakistan in every tie. Tennis ace Aisam also decided to play in Philippines especially for the rubber, where he and Aqeel could ensure at least one victory in the five matches played during a tie.

Despite the win, Philippines still lead 2-1. The teams will play reverse singles matches today.

Czechs beat Japan to reach semi-finals

Title holders the Czech Republic reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after clinically dispatching Japan in Saturday’s doubles to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie.

Radek Stepanek and Lukas Rosol beat Tatsuma Ito and Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in front of the Japanese emperor and empress in Tokyo.

“The Japanese guys fought their hearts out but we had it pretty much under control,” said Stepanek

“The Davis Cup has an incredible history. The emotions we experienced with our country and fans winning the competition were incredible. It’s something you cannot buy.”

Japan coach Minoru Ueda offered a blunt assessment of his players after their first quarter-final appearance under the modern format had come to an abrupt end.

“We simply weren’t good enough,” said Ueda.

Meanwhile, Andy Murray relaunched Britain’s bid for a long-awaited place in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup after sweeping aside Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in their postponed rubber to level the tie 1-1 in Naples on Saturday.

“I just think my ability to win more free points on my serve helped,” said Murray. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.