Davis Cup: Pakistan retaliate to win 3-2 against Philippines

Aisam, Aqeel set up overall victory in reverse singles.


Afp/natasha Raheel April 06, 2014
Aisam won his reverse single together with Aqeel to steer Pakistan to a 3-2 victory over Philippines after being down 2-0. PHOTO: FILE AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan reached the final of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II as they outclassed Philippines 3-2 in Manila.

Seasoned players Aqeel Khan and Aisamul Haq Qureshi won crucial matches on Sunday to create history for Pakistan tennis.

Earlier, they had also won the doubles rubber against Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 as Pakistan decreased the deficit to 2-1.

However, Aqeel and Aisam helped the team to, not only bounce back in the match, but also win the tie.



Aqeel exhausted Johnny Arcilla 4-6, 6-1, 2-6, 5-1 till the Philippines player chose to retire from the match citing exhaustion.

Meanwhile, Aisam won the last and deciding match of the tie against Patrick-John Tierro 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

“We’ve made history,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “I’m so glad that I was able to play this tie and help Pakistan move into the finals of Group I. We’ve bounced back into the competition after going 2-0, so we are celebrating this win.”

The team has lost their five previous ties against Philippines.

Pakistan had a rough start to their campaign in Manila. Aqeel lost his opening singles rubber to Tierro, while Samir Iftikhar lost to Gonzales as the hosts took the lead 2-0.

Pakistan will now play the final against Thailand on September 12.

‘Aqeel played with a lot of heart’

Aisam praised his doubles partner and friend Aqeel on his stellar performance.

“Aqeel played his heart out to win for Pakistan,” said Aisam, who was also playing the tie in Philippines for the first time in his career.

“He played consecutively for three days, and also helped the squad to level the score. A lot of credit goes to him. As for me, I’m very proud, this performance is a break through.

“We played on a claycourt, which doesn’t suit us, and the weather was also very humid.”

However, none of the Davis Cup participants would agree to play in Pakistan due to security concerns, which forced the squad to play their home-tie on the surface of their opponent’s choice.

Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Kaleem Imam said that this was a big achievement for the country in Davis Cup.

“The federation will also give a bonus to Aqeel for his role in winning the tie,” said Imam. “As for the next round, we’ll try to hold it on a neutral venue.”

Meanwhile, reigning Davis Cup champions, the Czech Republic, powered their way to a 5-0 quarter-final whitewash of Japan after Sunday’s reverse singles matches.

In the other matches, Italy’s world number 13 Fabio Fognini defeated British World number one Andy Murray 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to level their Davis Cup quarter-final tie 2-2 with Britain, while India also clinched a spot in the Davis Cup World Group playoffs after downing South Korea 3-1 in their second-round tie in Busan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.

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COMMENTS (1)

A S Khan | 9 years ago | Reply

Well done team Pakistan!!!!!

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