French Open dream ends for Aisam-Rojer
Pak-Dutch pair loses to South American duo in third round.
Djokovic opened up sluggishly as Kohlschreiber fired on all cylinders, but regained his form quickly. PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS:
Sixth-seeds Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer crashed out of the French Open 2013 men’s doubles event after losing to South Americans Pablo Cuevas and Horacio Zeballos 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 (5-7) in the third round.
This was the first time in four years that Aisam failed to reach the men’s doubles quarter-finals at the French Open. Last year, Aisam and Rojer played the semi-finals in Paris but lost to Americans Mike and Bob Bryan. In 2010 and 2011, Aisam reached the quarter-finals with India’s Rohan Bopanna.
Djokovic to face Haas in quarters
In the men’s singles draw, world number one Novak Djokovic reached his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final and set-up a clash against evergreen Tommy Haas.
Top-seed Djokovic carved out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over 16th-seed Philipp Kohlschreiber with the German paying a high price for converting just two of 13 break points.
Haas, meanwhile, became the third oldest man to reach the last-eight with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
“It’s very difficult to play against Philipp as he is a specialist on clay,” said Djokovic. “I played well after the first set so I am happy.”
On facing Haas, against whom he has a 4-3 winning record, the Serb said, “I have a lot of respect for Tommy. He is playing well.”
Djokovic, the runner-up to seven-time champion Rafael Nadal last year, needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Haas became the first German in 17 years to reach the quarter-finals and the oldest man to make the last eight at any Grand Slam since Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open.
“It was a pretty good performance,” said Haas. “I was broken in the first game but I got my bearings, got into the groove.”
In another match, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal celebrated his 27th birthday by trouncing Japanese 13th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
Azarenka reaches last-eight
In the women’s singles, third-seed Victoria Azarenka reached the French Open quarter-finals for the third time with a 6-3, 6-0 win over 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone.
The Australian Open champion will face 12th-seed Maria Kirilenko.
“I think it was the most composed and the most consistent match so far,” said Azarenka.
The French Open is the only Grand Slam where Azarenka has failed to get beyond the quarter-finals.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
Sixth-seeds Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer crashed out of the French Open 2013 men’s doubles event after losing to South Americans Pablo Cuevas and Horacio Zeballos 7-5, 3-6, 6-7 (5-7) in the third round.
This was the first time in four years that Aisam failed to reach the men’s doubles quarter-finals at the French Open. Last year, Aisam and Rojer played the semi-finals in Paris but lost to Americans Mike and Bob Bryan. In 2010 and 2011, Aisam reached the quarter-finals with India’s Rohan Bopanna.
Djokovic to face Haas in quarters
In the men’s singles draw, world number one Novak Djokovic reached his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final and set-up a clash against evergreen Tommy Haas.
Top-seed Djokovic carved out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win over 16th-seed Philipp Kohlschreiber with the German paying a high price for converting just two of 13 break points.
Haas, meanwhile, became the third oldest man to reach the last-eight with a comfortable 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over volatile Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
“It’s very difficult to play against Philipp as he is a specialist on clay,” said Djokovic. “I played well after the first set so I am happy.”
On facing Haas, against whom he has a 4-3 winning record, the Serb said, “I have a lot of respect for Tommy. He is playing well.”
Djokovic, the runner-up to seven-time champion Rafael Nadal last year, needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Haas became the first German in 17 years to reach the quarter-finals and the oldest man to make the last eight at any Grand Slam since Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open.
“It was a pretty good performance,” said Haas. “I was broken in the first game but I got my bearings, got into the groove.”
In another match, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal celebrated his 27th birthday by trouncing Japanese 13th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
Azarenka reaches last-eight
In the women’s singles, third-seed Victoria Azarenka reached the French Open quarter-finals for the third time with a 6-3, 6-0 win over 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone.
The Australian Open champion will face 12th-seed Maria Kirilenko.
“I think it was the most composed and the most consistent match so far,” said Azarenka.
The French Open is the only Grand Slam where Azarenka has failed to get beyond the quarter-finals.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.