Shanghai Masters: Aisam-Rojer bow out in quarters

Pak-Dutch pair suffers 7-6, 6-3 defeat to fifth seeds in doubles event.

KARACHI:

Fourth-seeded Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Roger crashed out of the ATP Shanghai Masters quarters as they lost 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to the Brazilian-Croatian pair of fifth seeds Ivan-Dodig and Marcelo Melo.

The Pak-Dutch pair had qualified for the last-eight clash after beating Spaniards Pablo Andujar and Marc Lopez in the second round of the event. They had received a bye in their first round.

“The match was a tough one, we availed what chances we had but missed a few opportunities,” Aisam told The Express Tribune. “We played against competitive opponents who were the finalists in Wimbledon and semi-finalists in the US Open.



“However, I feel it was a good run. Rojer and I are in good form and hopefully we’ll make it to the London Masters at the end of the year; every doubles team is after that.

“For now, I’ll continue with three more tournaments and play the hard way. For some reason, it’s never been easy, but I’ll try my best.”

Last year, the duo exited the Masters event at the same stage, losing to Britons Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins.

Nadal, Djokovic on course for potential showdown

Rafael Nadal survived a fierce assault from Stanislas Wawrinka to reach the event’s singles semi-finals yesterday, staying on course for a potential title match against Novak Djokovic, who recovered from a set down to also claim victory.

World number one Nadal was pushed to the limit by Wawrinka in a highly competitive first set, but the relentless Spaniard came out on top in a gripping tie-break lasting more than 20 minutes.

After that, it was one-way traffic in the second set as he prevailed 7-6 (12/10), 6-1.



Top seed Djokovic kept his side of the bargain under floodlights at the Qizhong Tennis Center, withstanding a feisty challenge from Frenchman Gael Monfils to win his quarter-final 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.

“Today was a very physical match and very intense,” said Djokovic. “Both of us, we played many rallies. I knew that he’s going to run for every ball and he’s going to make me play an extra shot.”

Earlier, sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, fresh from winning the Japan Open, eased into the semi-finals, firing 27 winners and making just eight unforced errors in a routine 6-3, 6-3 win against Nicolas Almagro, the Spanish 15th seed.

Del Potro, 25, just one win away from qualifying for the World Tour Finals, is wary of his semi-final match-up against Nadal, describing him as ‘unbeatable’.

“You have to have a perfect day against Rafa,” he said. We’ll see how it’s going.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2013.

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