Tennis: Pakistan thrashed in Manila

Tennis players blame ITF for 5-0 loss to Philippines in Davis Cup.

KARACHI:

Pakistan succumbed to a humiliating 5-0 loss to Philippines in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II tie as the players blamed the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for their failure.

Pakistan, who faced a 3-0 deficit on Saturday, then saw Mohammad Abid lose to Francis Casey Alacantara 6-2, 6-1 before the country’s number two singles player Yasir Khan went down to Johnny Arcilla 6-3, 6-4 as Philippines completed the clean sweep.

The losses followed that of Aqeel Khan’s to Arcilla before Treat Huey downed Yasir. The crucial doubles rubber also went in Philippines’ favour when Ruben Gonzales and Huey beat Aqeel and Jalil Khan.

However, Pakistan number one Aqeel believed the result would have been the other way around if Philippines played the tie in Lahore. The tie, originally scheduled to be in Pakistan, was shifted to Manila by the ITF due to security concerns and Aqeel said that the move hampered the country’s chances of winning.

“Philippines are a very strong team but I believe that we could have defeated them in Lahore,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “They were playing their young talent and we also had our less experienced players, but the difference was that they were in their comfort zone.

“I believe that the ITF’s decision of changing the venue was a key factor in our defeat. Confidence is the key and home-ground advantage helps the players.”

Pakistan’s chances were also dealt a severe blow when the country’s tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi pulled out of the tie due to an injury and Aqeel added that the pressure on him increased greatly. He said that it was high time that the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) addressed the lack of an adequate backup. “Aisam didn’t play and in a few years even I will not be there. What will happen then?

“It’s the PTF’s job to unearth good players, but that’s not happening. Our defeat against Philippines has just highlighted this need. And personally I have been under a lot of pressure playing without Aisam.”

Aisam also voiced the same concerns, urging the PTF to take concrete steps to improve the playing standard in the country. “I haven’t seen any impressive player so far” said Aisam. “I’m just disappointed because the PTF doesn’t have a backup plan.”

Berdych puts Czechs through to semis

Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych put the Czech Republic through to the Davis Cup semi-finals after beating Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic in three tie-breaks for his country’s third victory.

Berdych, the world number seven, beat eighth-ranked Tipsarevic 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7) in three hours and 45 minutes to hand the Czechs an unbeatable 3-1 lead as the teams’ number one players clashed on clay at Prague’s O2 Arena.

US beat France in Davis Cup

Meanwhile, the US also reached the semi-finals after John Isner overcame Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-3. Gilles Simon later beat Ryan Harrison 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the final singles rubber to make the final score 3-2. (With additional input from afp)

Aqeel Khan

“I believe that the ITF’s decision of changing the venue was a key factor in our defeat. Confidence is the key and home-ground advantage helps the players a lot.”

Aisamul Haq

“I haven’t seen an impressive player so far. The PTF doesn’t have a backup plan and there’s no one to represent Pakistan when me and Aqeel are gone.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2012.