ISLAMABAD: Experienced duo of Aqeel Khan and Aisamul Haq make country proud by winning the all important Davis cup Asia Oceania Group I tie against Korea with yet another special performance in the doubles Saturday at the Pakistan Sports Complex grass courts.
Following their dazzling performance in opening day singles which put Pakistan well ahead, Aisam and Aqeel returned Saturday morning to beat formidable Korean pair of Soon Woo Kwon and Yong-Kyu Lim 7-6 (8), 6-4 to seal the tie 3-0 well before the formality reverse singles.
The victory means Pakistan will now take on Uzbekistan in a World Group qualification tie also to be held in Islamabad on April 6-7. Korea will now play New Zealand in an effort to stay alive in Group I.
All eyes were focused on Saturday morning doubles which saw Pakistan’s best taking on the Koreans top duo lead by world No 178 Soon Woo Kwon. It all started that way in the opening set which saw opponents holding on to their serve. Aisam survives early scare as Koreans failed to utilize break point opportunity. Late in the set, two more opportunities of break came Korean way but Aisam held on to his nerves and using his international experience to great effect took the score to tie break. There was nothing to differentiate between the two even in the tie break. Aqeel had his chance but double faulted in an effort to get the winner. At 8-8, Pakistan got a mini break which was enough to seal the first set. Pakistan pair survived two break points at the outset of second set which was saved courtesy to some rasping sizzler from Aisam. Both pairs held on to their serve till score went to 4-4. Yong-Kyu Lim who was getting first taste of grass surface in Pakistan then was seen coming under pressure on his serve as the Korea pair lost point after point to concede a break on critical turn. At 5-4, Aisam faced little problem in retaining his own serve, enabling Pakistan to seal the tie to the jubilation of large local crowd. It was almost 13-year back in 2005 that both Aqeel and Aisam helped Pakistan beat Korea at Bagh Jinnah in Lahore. In reverse singles that turned out to be a mere formality Abid Ali Akbar beat 16-year old Minjong Park 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) to give Pakistan 4-0 triumph. Both teams non playing captains then decided not to play the second reverse singles that ensured clean sweep for Pakistan.
Aqeel stood up to challenge despite injury: Pakistan No 1 Aqeel Khan almost decided not to play doubles Saturday following overnight pain and discomfort in playing (right) arm and only took the court after he was backed and supported by his mates not to let go the opportunity. “When I got up early Saturday morning, I called Aisamul Haq and expressed my inability to be his partner in the doubles. I felt that due to excessive pain in the playing arm I would not be in a position to justify my presence. Aisam however suggested not to make any final decision so early. Later the trainer, coach and doctor worked on my arm for about an hour after which I at least was in a position to move my arm freely,” Aqeel said following historic 4-0 win against Korea in Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie. He said had it not been Aisam as my partner he would never have played. “Even then I was feeling discomfort in arm. I only played as I knew well that Aisam is there to cover up for me. My coach and captain Hameedul Haq was also adamant that even if I was not hundred percent I should play. That’s exactly what I did. Thanks to almighty Allah we succeeded in winning doubles and tie,” he said. Aqeel praised the hard work put in by coaches and non playing captain. “Definitely we have worked hard to prepare for the tie. Thanks God we got positive results,” he said.
from The News International - Sports http://ift.tt/2E0v0gl
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