Pakistan beat Vietnam in Davis Cup tie

Top player Aqeel Khan wins crucial singles match to seal the win.

KARACHI: Pakistan cruised into the second round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceana Zone Group II as Aqeel Khan, convincingly defeating Vietnam’s Thien Nguyen Hoang 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in a decisive singles rubber at the 198 Tennis Club in Da Lat on Sunday.

Aqeel proved his worth as the most experienced Pakistani Davis Cup player sealing the win for the country.

At the end of the three-day tie, Pakistan defeated Group II newcomers Vietnam 3-2.

The hosts won a consolation match, when Yasir Khan lost to Linh Giang Trinh 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the second reverse singles match.

Earlier, Aqeel had also won the opening singles rubber in which he defeated Quang-Huy Ngo 6-0, 6-4, 6-3.  He also paired up with Aisamul Haq Qureshi in the doubles rubber and won the match against Quoc-Khanh Le and Ngo on Saturday to help Pakistan take a 2-1 lead.

Pakistan were the favourites to win the tie, while the squad had to face some confusion in the beginning as Aisam had excused himself from participating in the competition due to the clash of the Davis Cup dates with his ATP tour schedule.

However, he joined the squad a day before the tie and competed in the doubles rubber. Pakistan will now face Philippines in the next round in April.

‘A crucial win for Pakistan’

Former Davis Cupper Jalil Khan feels the win was a crucial one for Pakistan while the next round against Philippines should be played on a neutral venue this year.

“This was a crucial win,” Jalil told The Expres Tribune. “I got a message from Aqeel; the team is busy celebrating the win. It was a thrilling tie. Earlier even Aisam’s participation was doubtful, but thankfully it all ended well.”

Meanwhile, Jalil said that the International Tennis Federation (TF) should give Pakistan an option for playing the Philippines tie on grass courts.

“We’ve been playing our last three ties against Philippines on their surface, its high time we hold the tie on a neutral venue and on grass courts, which favours us more,” said Jalil.

Pakistan lost to Philippines 5-0 in 2012 Asia-Oceania Zone Group II semi-final.

Philippines have outplayed the national team five times in their six meetings since 1950.

Published in The Expres Tribune, February 17^th, 2014.

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