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By APD Writer Muhammad Sohail
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 17 (APD) - Pakistan defeated Thailand on Sunday in the final of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-II by 3-2 in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
By winning the Group-II final, Pakistan has been promoted to the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-I.
Pakistan started the day for two matches with a lead of 2-1 at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
Thailand leveled the tie 2-2 by winning the first match of the reverse singles as Thailand Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul beat Pakistan’s international tennis star Aisam ul Haq Qureshi after a tough competition by 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 7-6 (3-2).
Wishaya took the lead in the first two sets thrashing Aisam by 7-5 and 7-6. Meanwhile, Aisam went victorious in the third and fourth sets by 6-4, 7-6 but due to injury he could not keep up with the game and lost the last set to Wishaya by 6-7.
Thriller came to the final after Thailand leveled the contest by 2-2 converting the fifth and last match into a final like situation.
However, Pakistan No. 1 Aqeel Khan led Pakistan to victory by defeating Kittiphong Wachiramanowong by 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2 (3-2).
Aqeel came off strong in the first two sets 6-4, 6-3 while Kittiphong made a comeback in the third and fourth set by 3-6, 2-6 but Aqeel ended the final set on a winning note by 6-2.
Speaking at the end of the match, Aqeel said: "I wanted Aisam to finish the final for Pakistan but I think it was written in my fate to do so."
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President, Salim Saifullah said the whole nation is happy as Pakistan beat a tough Thailand team today.
"Our players worked very hard and PTF will do all-out efforts for promotion of tennis in the country," said Salim Saifullah.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
