Aisam-Rojer through to semi-finals

Top seeds down Bopanna, Ram in three-setter at Portugal Open.

KARACHI: Top-seeds Aisamul Haq Qureshi and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer were through to the semi-finals of the Portugal Open men’s doubles event after they defeated Indian-Israeli duo Rohan Bopanna and Andy Ram 4-6, 6-3, 10-2 in Estoril yesterday.

The pair went one step closer to defending their title in Estoril, with Aisam also registering his first win over former partner Bopanna in three meetings this year.

The Pakistan tennis ace also avenged his Dubai Open defeat to Bopanna in February, where Aisam and Rojer lost to Bopanna and American Rajeev Ram in the first round.

Aisam and Rojer, who also clinched the Miami Masters doubles event earlier, will now face Italian duo and fourth-seeds Daniele Bracciali and Fabio Fognini in the semi-final today.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2013.