Pakistan off to winning start against Thailand in Davis Cup final

By APD Writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 15 (APD) -- Pakistan tennis team started off on a winning note against Thailand side by winning the first two single matches in the in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II final in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Friday.

Pakistani tennis player Aqeel Khan playing in a single-match against Thailand.

In the opening match, Pakistan No. 1 Aqeel Khan defeated Thai opponent Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul in straight sets by 6-3, 6-4, and 6-4.

Following the great victory by Khan, Pakistan’s international tennis star Aisam ul Haq Qureshi outclassed Thai player Kittiphong Wachiramanowong by hammering him with one-sided straight sets 6-1, 6-0, 6-4.

Pakistani player Aisam ul Haq Qureshi (2nd right) along with his family after winning the match.

The two vital victories have given Pakistan 2-0 lead in a five-match tie being played at the Pakistan Sports Board Complex in Islamabad from September 15-17.

After winning the match, Pakistani player Aisam said it is the best Pakistan Davis Cup team available and all players have prepared well for the mega final, and the result is here for everyone.

“Doubles is the key to win in the Davis Cup tie. Our side is strong and we advantage of grass court over the visitors, and I hope we shall win the tie,” said Aisam.

Pakistani team poses for a group photo before matches.

Pakistan team comprises Aisam, Aqeel Khan, Shahzad Khan, Muhammad Abid and nonplaying captain Mohammed Khalid, while Thai side includes Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Kittiphong Wachiramanowong, Sanchai Ratiwatana and Sonchat Ratiwatana.

In the double match on Saturday, Thai team’s pair of twin brothers Sanchai Ratiwatana/Sonchat Ratiwatana will take on the Pakistan duo of Aisam/Khan.

It is the first time after a gap of almost 12 years that Pakistan is hosting the Davis Cup ties as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had kept Pakistan on the list of unsafe venues due to security threats in the country neighboring to war-torn Afghanistan.

Pakistani players of all sports, including tennis, were forced to play their ties in other countries, which affected their performance and international rankings. Earlier this year, Pakistan defeated Iran 3-2 in the first round at home soil in Islamabad and got a bye against China’s Hong Kong.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)