Aisam wants to go past finish line

Last year’s US Open doubles and mixed doubles runner-up not under pressure.

KARACHI: He finished as the runner-up in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles event in 2010 but Pakistan tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi is confident about his US Open chances this year.

Aisam, who will partner Rohan Bopanna of India, said that his aim is to go past the finish line when the event, marred by Hurricane Irene, starts today.

“I’m confident that we can go all the way this time,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “We’re one of the front-runners but I’m not under pressure.

“We just need to take it match-by-match and set the momentum.”

However, Qureshi added that the pair will have to overcome the inconsistency factor. “Our pre-US Open run has not been satisfactory. Bopanna’s injury did not help but now he’s fit,” said Aisam.

‘I want Federer to win’

Meanwhile, Aisam said that world number three Roger Federer can lift the US Open trophy. “If I had to pick I would have wished it was me, but I would want Federer to win,” said Aisam. “This guy is the greatest player in the game’s  history and he’s being written off. But I still think he has the ability to win four or five more grand slams.”

Hurricane battle

While the city braced itself for Hurricane Irene, Aisam remained hopeful that the tournament would not be affected.

“I’ve heard the warnings but hopefully it would not affect the tournament or our preparation in any way.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th,  2011.