Aisamul Haq Qureshi faces a stiff test as the Pakistan tennis ace, paired with Dutch player Jean-Julien Rojer, clashes with brothers Bob and Mike Bryan in his first encounter of the Sydney International doubles event today.
Aisam tasted disappointment at the Brisbane International, losing in the opening round in what was his first match with Rojer after Rohan Bopanna decided to play with countryman Mahesh Bhupatti ahead of the London Olympics.
While Aisam was off to a disastrous start – losing in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 to local pair Greg Jones and Marinko Matosevic – in the lead-up to the Australian Open that starts next week, the Pakistani is hoping for an improved show in Sydney.
“I’m aiming to win grand slams this year,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “I won’t give up until I’m the number-one ranked doubles player. I’ll try to make the best out of what I’ve got and hopefully it’ll work out.”
Change in combination
Critics remain sceptical over whether the change in combination will work against Aisam but the tennis player was confident that the new pairing will soon find its form.
“These warm-up events will only help me and Rojer improve. We’re playing against top players and right now there’s a lesson to be learnt even if we lose.”
Although Aisam will take confidence from the win he and Bopanna registered against the Bryan brothers last year ,but he remained wary of the threat the American duo possessed.
“It’s a tough draw. But I’m counting on the hard work I’ve put through the years. I’m taking every change positively,” said Aisam, who is unseeded for the tournament in Sydney.
Aim to remain in top 10
Despite defeat in Brisbane, Aisam has managed to keep his ninth spot in the individual ATP double rankings and needs to remain in the top 10 in May this year to make it to the Olympics where he will partner compatriot Aqeel Khan.
While Aisam parted ways with Bopanna, world number seven India’s Leander Paes was also forced to change his partner and will now play with Czech Radek Stepanek at the Australian Open.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2012.
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pairing up with rojer is a mistake; aisam can do much better! he should have tried playing with marach ( who he won the bangkok open with)