ISLAMABAD - Pakistani pair of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khangave won the doubles rubber of the Davis Cup Oceania Group -II tie against Vietnam 3-1 to give Pakistan 2-1 advantage on the second day of the tie.
Aisam/Aqeel defeated Linh Giang Trinh/Quoc Khanh Le in a four set match. Pakistan easily won the first set dropping just one game to win the set 6-1. Same score line was repeated in the second set as well, as Pakistani pair took the second set 6-1. Pakistani pair displayed quality tennis and won the first two sets without any resistance with the help of fast serve and accurate volleys.
Home pair fought bravely in the third set, as the score was 6-6 as both teams managed to hold onto their respective serves. The set was decided on a tiebreak in which Vietnam team managed to take the third set 7-5. Pakistani team changed the strategy in the 4th set and once again played aggressive game, which work wonders for the pair as they won the fourth set 6-2 to register impressive victory against top Vietnam pair.
Now the fate of the tie rest on the shoulders of Pakistan number 1 tennis player Aqeel. If Aqeel managed to win his singles match against number 1 Vietnam player Thien Nguyen Hoang then Pakistan will win the tie as fifth and last match will be not more than a dead rubber. But if Aqeel failed to win the match then it would be left on Aisam to win the singles and tie for the country.
While sharing his views with The Nation on Saturday Pakistan Tennis Federation president Dr Syed Kaleem Imam said: “I am very delighted with the way our players had shown their talent. I am quite confident Aqeel will prevail against his tough opponent and help the country win the particular tie.”