Davis Cup: Pakistan lose to China 3-0

Aisam, Aqeel fail to hold opponents in doubles rubber

KARACHI: Pakistan lost their all-important Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie against China 3-0 as Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan failed to hold their opponents in the doubles rubber at the clay courts of Colombo on Saturday.

Pakistan started off the day trailing 2-0 after a disappointing first day on Friday and the country’s seasoned duo missed chances at lessening the margin in the competition against China.



They lost the match to Yan Bai and Mao-Xin Gong 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(4) only managing to take one set.

However, the duo fought hard in the fourth set, taking it to a tie-break and Aqeel believes it was a tale of missed opportunities.

“It was close, and we could’ve won this one,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “The weather was very hot as well, but mostly the Chinese players played well and it was a few shots that we missed that made the difference at the end of the match,”

Pakistan will be going into two dead rubbers in reverse singles on Sunday and Aqeel revealed that Yasir Khan and Mohammad Abid are likely to play on the last day on Sunday.

“We’ll give them a chance; they’ll get the exposure,” said Aqeel who has played 46 ties so far for Pakistan.



Bryan brothers give US edge over Australia

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan combined to give the US a crucial edge over Australia in their Davis Cup World Group tie with a thrilling five-set doubles win on Saturday.

The 16-time Grand Slam doubles champions looked to be cruising to victory, breezing through the opening two sets before Hewitt and debutant John Peers fought their way into a fifth set.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2016.

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