Aisam edging closer to his dream

Indo-Pak Express remain on course to take part in London Masters.

KARACHI:

Aisamul Haq Qureshi has to wait for another week to find out whether his dream of playing in the prestigious London Masters would come true or not.

Qureshi and India’s Rohan Bopanna have a good chance to qualify for the event where only the world’s top eight singles and doubles players take part.

The Indo-Pak Express’ hopes received a major blow with a second-round defeat at the Valencia Open on Thursday, a loss that may cost them their place in this month’s event.

“If we had won that match, we would’ve confirmed our place in the London Masters,” Qureshi told The Express Tribune. “We are still in the top eight but if world number eight Polish team and the team below them reach the Paris Open final then they can replace us in London.

“It’s not a big worry, though, as neither team has done well throughout the year and haven’t reached the final of any big event this year.”

Aisam and Bopanna will have to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris Open, which will start from November 7, to consolidate his place in the London Masters.

“Last year we were the alternate team — if one of the top eight teams had pulled out of the tournament we would have had a chance to play.

“It was painful to be slotted as backups. We were hoping someone would get injured so that we could play.

“But I will make sure that I get my place in the top eight. It can be a new high for Pakistan tennis if I qualify for it. I’d be the first Pakistani to play this tournament,” said Qureshi.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2011.