Pakistan sweep Bahrain in Billie Jean King Cup

Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi lead the hosts to victory

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan opened their Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III (B) campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bahrain on Wednesday, marking the country’s first time hosting the international women’s team tennis competition.

Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi secured commanding singles victories before teaming up to complete the clean sweep in the Group A tie at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Tennis Complex.

Suhail defeated Hajar Zaidan 6-0, 6-0, while Qureshi beat Gharam Alkhayat by the same scoreline.

The pair then joined forces in the doubles, defeating Eman Alzaimoor and Zaidan 6-1, 6-0 to seal Pakistan’s opening-day win.

Pakistan Tennis Federation president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary-general Colonel Zia-ud-Din Tufail praised the players for their performances and expressed confidence in the team’s prospects in the competition.

Eight nations are competing in the tournament, divided into two groups.

The Maldives also began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Bhutan. Keyara Usama Ali defeated Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo 6-1, 6-0, while Aishath Karin Saizan beat Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden 6-0, 6-1. The Maldivian pair then overcame Tandin Dorji and Kinley Yangden 6-1, 6-0 in the doubles.

Iran defeated Kuwait 3-0, with Hana Soltani beating Huda Aldabbous 6-2, 6-0 and Kimia Sagheb Tehrani defeating Sumou Aldabbous 6-0, 6-0. Meshkatolzahra Safi and Yasaman Yazdani completed the sweep with a 6-0, 6-2 doubles victory over the Aldabbous sisters.

Jordan edged Qatar 2-1 in the other tie. Ana Abualhaj recovered from a set down to defeat Dana Khalifa 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, while Noor Sayej beat Mubaraka Al Naimi 7-5, 6-0 to secure the tie for Jordan.

Qatar claimed the doubles, with Hinda Al Mudahka and Khadija Gassama defeating Abualhaj and Sayej 6-3, 6-4.