Pakistan, Iran book Billie Jean King Cup final spots

The hosts overcome Maldives 2-1, while Iran cruise past Qatar without dropping a match

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Iran qualified for the final of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III on Friday after winning their respective group ties at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

The hosts defeated top seeds Maldives 2-1 in Group A, while Iran secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Qatar in Group B to set up Saturday’s final.

Pakistan’s Ushna Suhail gave the hosts a strong start with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Keyara Usama before Mahin Aftab Qureshi sealed the tie by beating Aishath Karin Saizan 6-1, 6-0.

Maldives claimed a consolation point in the doubles, with Aishath Karin Saizan and Nayara Usama Ali defeating Romaisa Malik and Hajra Sohail 6-4, 6-4.

Iran, meanwhile, dominated their encounter against Qatar, with Yasaman Yazdani sweeping past Dana Khalifa 6-0, 6-0 before Kimia Sagheb Tehrani beat Mubaraka Al Naimi 6-2, 6-1.

Meshkatolzahra Safi and Hana Soltani completed the clean sweep for Iran, defeating Hind Almudahka and Khadija Gassama 6-2, 7-6 (2) in the doubles.

Elsewhere, Bhutan edged Bahrain 2-1 in Group A, while Jordan defeated Kuwait by the same margin in Group B.

Bhutan recovered from Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo’s defeat to Hajar Zaidan, with Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden beating Gharam Alkhayat 6-0, 6-0 before Tandin Dorji and Wangsel Lhaden clinched the doubles 4-6, 7-5, 13-11.

Jordan secured their victory through Anna Abualhaj and Noor Sayej, who won their singles matches against Huda Aldabbous and Sumou Aldabbous respectively. Kuwait claimed the doubles rubber, with Huda and Sumou Aldabbous beating Hajar Al Louzi and Rama Bagaeen 6-2, 6-3.

Pakistan will look to capitalise on home-court advantage when they face Iran in Saturday’s final, with both teams bidding to finish the tournament as Group III champions.