Pakistan reach Davis Cup Group I after nine years

Aisamul Haq wins against Chinese Taipei’s Jui-Chen Hung in a four-setter

KARACHI: Aisamul Haq Qureshi led Pakistan to a historic victory at the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II finals by winning the deciding rubber against Chinese Taipei’s Jui-Chen Hung in a four-setter at Ulusal Tenis Egitim Merkezi Tennis Club, Izmir in Turkey on Sunday.

Pakistan defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the final and booked a place in Group I after nine years.

In action it all came down to the last set of Aisam’s singles rubber with both teams hanging onto 2-2 after winning two rubbers each.

The tennis ace, who was avoiding the hard courts while battling a knee-injury this year, brought down Hung 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in four hours, breaking the curse on Pakistan tennis as they played their Group I tie in 2006.

“It’s a great moment for Pakistan, but it is also sad that Pakistanis aren’t able to see what we did because we played our home-tie on the neutral venue,” playing captain Aisam told The Express Tribune.

“It is an extremely emotional moment. In fact the entire team and especially my doubles partner Aqeel Khan inspired me to win the decider really, he added.



The duo also won doubles tie on Saturday.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has not allowed Pakistan to host a tie in the country due to security reasons.

Aisam said: “This should send out a message to the ITF. They should see that we can even win despite the odds against us.”

According to coach Hamedul Haq, the five-member squad could not stop crying at the end of the tie. “We just fell down in the court, crying at the end, we’ll finally play in Group I next year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2015.