Pakistan go into deciding day 2-1 up against Kuwait
Aisam and Aqeel beat opponents in the doubles match of the first-round tie
NOT GIVING UP: According to coach Rashid Malik, it was encouraging to see both players doubling their efforts after Kuwait made things even in the second set. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan took a 2-1 lead against Kuwait after winning the doubles match of their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II first-round tie on Saturday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association Clay Courts in Colombo.
The seasoned duo of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan made their Davis Cup experience count when they defeated Muhammad Ghareeb and Hassan alMousa 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a four-setter.
Earlier, Aisam had won his singles rubber while Aqeel lost to Kuwait’s top seed Ghareeb on day one.
“It wasn’t easy. Kuwait performed better than we thought; they fought hard,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “Now it will boil down to the reverse singles. We’ll be giving our all for it.”
The Karachi-based player will take on Naser alObaidly on Sunday, while Aisam will play against Ghareeb in their respective singles matches.
“Apart from our opponents, the greatest challenge is braving the hot weather of Colombo,” said Aqeel, who is playing his 43rd Davis Cup tie for Pakistan. “We could feel the humidity sapping our strength and stamina during the doubles, but we pressed on.”
The 34-year-old praised the local populace’s interest in the event, revealing that a number of spectators came to witness the tie.
“We had people from the Pakistani community coming to see the matches, but even the indigenous audience shows up. It’s good for our morale.”
Decision paid off: coach
Pakistan’s coach and non-playing captain Rashid Malik said he chose to go with Aisam and Aqeel for the doubles tie as he did not want to take any chances.
“I thought of giving one of the players a little rest and save them for the singles rubber on day three, but then decided that I just couldn't take chances with new players in a crucial match,” said Malik. “I’m glad the decision paid off.”
He added that it was encouraging to see both players doubling their efforts after Kuwait made things even in the second set. “Aqeel and Aisam won the important points and excelled under pressure, which is all that matters,” he said.
Fognini and Bolelli put Italy ahead
Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli gave Italy a crucial 2-1 lead over Kazakhstan in their World Group first-round tie by winning the doubles rubber on Saturday.
Fognini and Bolelli, the Australian Open champions, beat Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-7 (13/15), 6-4 in a match which lasted three hours and 18 minutes.
"It was a tough match," said Italy's skipper Corrado Barazzutti. "The hosts played very well but we were just a bit better. They [Fognini and Bolelli] are Australian Open champions, and it speaks for itself."
Meanwhile, France qualified for the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead over Germany in Frankfurt on Saturday.
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Pakistan took a 2-1 lead against Kuwait after winning the doubles match of their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II first-round tie on Saturday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association Clay Courts in Colombo.
The seasoned duo of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan made their Davis Cup experience count when they defeated Muhammad Ghareeb and Hassan alMousa 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a four-setter.
Earlier, Aisam had won his singles rubber while Aqeel lost to Kuwait’s top seed Ghareeb on day one.
“It wasn’t easy. Kuwait performed better than we thought; they fought hard,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “Now it will boil down to the reverse singles. We’ll be giving our all for it.”
The Karachi-based player will take on Naser alObaidly on Sunday, while Aisam will play against Ghareeb in their respective singles matches.
“Apart from our opponents, the greatest challenge is braving the hot weather of Colombo,” said Aqeel, who is playing his 43rd Davis Cup tie for Pakistan. “We could feel the humidity sapping our strength and stamina during the doubles, but we pressed on.”
The 34-year-old praised the local populace’s interest in the event, revealing that a number of spectators came to witness the tie.
“We had people from the Pakistani community coming to see the matches, but even the indigenous audience shows up. It’s good for our morale.”
Decision paid off: coach
Pakistan’s coach and non-playing captain Rashid Malik said he chose to go with Aisam and Aqeel for the doubles tie as he did not want to take any chances.
“I thought of giving one of the players a little rest and save them for the singles rubber on day three, but then decided that I just couldn't take chances with new players in a crucial match,” said Malik. “I’m glad the decision paid off.”
He added that it was encouraging to see both players doubling their efforts after Kuwait made things even in the second set. “Aqeel and Aisam won the important points and excelled under pressure, which is all that matters,” he said.
Fognini and Bolelli put Italy ahead
Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolelli gave Italy a crucial 2-1 lead over Kazakhstan in their World Group first-round tie by winning the doubles rubber on Saturday.
Fognini and Bolelli, the Australian Open champions, beat Andrey Golubev and Aleksandr Nedovyesov 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-7 (13/15), 6-4 in a match which lasted three hours and 18 minutes.
"It was a tough match," said Italy's skipper Corrado Barazzutti. "The hosts played very well but we were just a bit better. They [Fognini and Bolelli] are Australian Open champions, and it speaks for itself."
Meanwhile, France qualified for the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead over Germany in Frankfurt on Saturday.
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