The Davis Cup clash starts with the singles’ matches with Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan taking on Jose Statham, the New Zealand number one in the first encounter of the day. It will be a difficult test for Khan, currently ranked 1,443 in world rankings facing the Statham, who is 390th in the global rankings.
On the other hand, Pakistan ace Aisamul Haq - fresh after having a dream run in Wimbledon where he qualified for the doubles quarter-final for the first time- will meet New Zealand’s second-ranked Michael Venus, who is making his Davis Cup debut.
“It’s a tough tie but we are hopeful of overcoming the hosts,” Aisam told The Express Tribune from Hawera.
He said all the players including Jalil Khan and Yasir Khan have accustomed with the conditions better and are confident of giving their best.
“Obviously these are not home conditions but the team has adopted well and is optimistic of giving its best,” said Aisam while adding that Pakistan holds a psychological advantage over the opposition with a victory in their last match against them in the 2004 Davis Cup clash.
Aisam, who has played most of this season on grass courts, said he is ready to shift to the hard surface mode.
“It’s not a great concern. I am ready for the hard surface as well. After all, we also secured a victory against Hong Kong on the same surface,” said Aisam.
The winner will play against either Thailand or Indonesia, who will be playing the other semi-final simultaneously in Jakarta, in the final of the group in September.
And Aisam seemed confident. “A victory against the Kiwis will brighten our chances of becoming the group leaders as we will be up against a side that we can beat.”
In the meantime, New Zealand are aiming for revenge against Pakistan to square off their 2004 loss that relegated them to group two where they have remained since.
However, New Zealand Davis Cup captain Marcel Vos said he was confident about each player in his team.
“We have been training well for the tie and there is good team spirit which counts a lot in the Davis Cup,” said Vos. New Zealand have a one-win, one-loss record against Pakistan in Davis Cup ties.
The singles on the opening day will be followed by a doubles clash the next day before reverse singles matches on the last day.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2010.
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