STILL A CHANCE: Pakistan now have three matches to go against the Philippines. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI/ TIANJIN: Pakistan experienced a rough start to the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II as the Philippines took a 2-0 lead with wins in singles rubbers on the opening day of the round-two tie in Manila.
On Friday, Aqeel Khan lost to Patrick-John Tierro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 as the hosts led 1-0 after the opening match.
Samir Iftikhar also failed to win his singles rubber against Ruben Gonzales 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. The head-to-head record between Pakistan and the Philippines favours the hosts.
The Philippines have won five out of six ties against Pakistan in the past.
Pakistan have been forced to play their home tie on their opponents’ choice of surface since none of the participating countries in Davis Cup are willing to visit Pakistan due to the security concerns.
Due to lack of resources, the Pakistan Tennis Federation failed to keep Pakistan’s home tie at a neutral event; something the players would have liked as playing in the Philippines is extremely difficult for Pakistanis due to clay courts and sweltering temperatures.
Meanwhile, in today’s fixture, Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel will pair up against Johnny Arcilla and Treat Huey in the doubles rubber.
China, Uzbekistan battle to share spoils
China and Uzbekistan shared the spoils on the opening day of their Group 1 tie Friday in two gruelling five-set matches.
Zhang Ze took a 2-1 set lead against Denis Istomin in the opening match of the second round tie, but the Uzbek recovered to take the last two sets, eventually winning 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
China's top tennis player Wu Di (ranked 195) was crushed 6-1 by Farrukh Dustov in their opening set, but took the following two sets on tie-breaks, only to lose the fourth and set up a decider.
With no tie-break in the final set, it lasted 16 games before 22-year-old Wu finally overcame his opponent 1-6, 7-6(7/4), 7-6(7-4), 3-6, 9-7, to the joy of the home crowd at the Tianjin Tennis Centre.
Gong Maoxin and Li Zhe will attempt to put China in the driving seat on Saturday in their crucial doubles match against Dustov and Istomin, before the reverse singles on Sunday.
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