PTF satisfied with Fed Cup performance

KARACHI: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has expressed its satisfaction with the women team’s performance in the Fed Cup despite their dismal run and plans to appoint Indian coaches to groom the players for international events in the future.

Pakistan lost in the Fed Cup against Indonesia 3-0, Philippines 3-0, but managed to beat Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in the Asia/Oceania Group A match in Bangkok.

The Fed Cup squad consisted of Sara Mehboob paired with Sara Mansoor, Saba Aziz and Ushna Sohail, while Nausheen Sohail was the non-playing captain with coach Rashid Malik.

“Of course we can’t say that we are happy with the team’s performance,” PTF Secretary Mumtaz Yousuf told The Express Tribune. “But we can see that the players have potential and now we are planning to get coaches for the female players from India in the coming months.”

However, former Davis Cup captain and PTF Selector Hamidul Haq criticised the country’s top players for not winning more than one tie in the event. Haq said that he was disappointed with Pakistan’s top player Mehboob. “I think she was under some sort of pressure or that she was not treated the way number ones are supposed to be,” said Haq.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2011.