Pakistan cruise to Davis Cup semi-final

KARACHI:

Aisamul Haq Qureshi defeated Martin Sayer 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 as Pakistan sealed a 3-2 victory over the hosts in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group II yesterday at the Victoria Park, Hong Kong.

Qureshi outplayed his 24-year-old opponent in straight sets before juniors’ number one Samir Iftikhar lost his debut match in the Davis Cup against Hiu-Tung Yu 6-1, 6-4. Although Pakistan had already qualified for the semi-final and did not have to play the fifth match, team coach Mushaf Zia opted to give Iftikhar a chance to earn some much-needed exposure.

With the win, Pakistan will now face South Korea in July as they try to break into the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group I.

Earlier, the tourists went down to Hong Kong in the first round when Qureshi lost the opening match to Yu 3-2 before levelling the tie when Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan outplayed Sayer 3-0 in the singles match. However it was the doubles match where Qureshi and Khan defeated Jonathan Chu and Coenie Van Wyk 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 to give Pakistan a 2-1 lead.

“It was a very close tie, it could have gone either way,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune. “I lost the first match that I shouldn’t have, but I believe we picked up when Khan levelled.

“I think he played the best tennis of his life this week. As for me, I was a little stiff and had pulled some muscles in the last match, but we had a great team over here that helped me get back. In fact, the Davis Cup ties have given me a good boost for my upcoming events in the US.”

Meanwhile, Zia said that Pakistan will now aim at winning against South Korea and the players will need to work hard since their team is a much more experienced and professional one.

He also added that Pakistan will again rely on Qureshi and Khan since they are the best players available, while he sees potential in Iftikhar to replace one of them in the future.

The Davis Cup team will return to Lahore today, with Qureshi leaving directly for the US to play for his next tournament in Miami.

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