ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: Just when all eyes were on him, Aqeel Khan shone brightly on Monday to earn a memorable 3-2 Davis Cup victory for Pakistan leaving New Zealand facing the humiliation of being relegated to Group II for the first time ever.
Consigning New Zealand to that group required quite an effort from Aqeel though, who had gone into this unfinished reverse singles of the Asia Oceania Zone Group I playoff against Simon Rea 2-4 down in third set with both players having won a set each. But Aqeel, the architect of Pakistan’s earlier victories over China and Korea, kept his nerve to complete a 7-6 (5), 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory before a cheering crowd at the Islamabad Club.
Faced with a journey into uncharted territory, New Zealand captain Bruce Derlin refused to talk to media following the tie and left the venue quickly, as did his team mates.
The home team was, however, in no mood to leave too soon. Celebrations were in order and the players unfurled a big Pakistani flag and did a lap of honour around the court.
There were smiles all around and the president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Syed Dilawar Abbas was quick to announce a cash award of Rs 325,000 for the team which would be over and above their normal payments.
Aqeel, who had erred on Sunday by not lobbing the ball against Rea who was coming on to the net too often, made amends but only after some more hiccups on Monday. When play resumed, Aqeel could not break his opponent’s serve and conceded the third set that left the home team wondering what was in store.
It was time for Aqeel to get his act together before it was too late. In a tense fourth set, he broke Rea twice in the third and eight games and then held his own serve to seal it, sending down an ace.
In a dazzling display, Aqeel, who was 2-3 down in the set, won five games in succession as he took the match into the decisive fifth set. Pressure was beginning to tell on the New Zealander who needed a medical timeout after falling 0-2 down in the set as Aqeel broke his serve in the first game.
With the home player now playing intelligently and more confidently, the writing was on the wall for New Zealand who could not prevent the inevitable. Firing on all cylinders, Aqeel also broke Rea’s fifth game and then smashed an ace to finish off the tie with panache.
“For me this win is more important than the ones achieved against China and Korea,” said a beaming Aqeel. “I was under pressure early on in the match but once I got the breakthrough, I got going.”
Pakistan captain Rashid Malik termed the success as one of the biggest victories. “It was a team effort and our doubles victory on Saturday was the turning point of the tie.”
He said that Aqeel’s performance of Sunday when he was not playing to his potential, required a change in strategy for play on Monday. “I am glad that he was able to do what he was told, indeed it was a very positive performance by our team.” Rasheed also praised Aisam for helping Pakistan achieve what he said was the most important win for him as captain.
RESULTS:
Pakistan beat New Zealand 3-2.
Reverse singles: Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Simon Rea 7-6 (5), 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
REVERSE SINGLES (PLAYED SUNDAY): Mark Nielsen (NZ) bt Aisamul Haq Qureshi (Pak) 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
DOUBLES (PLAYED SATURDAY): Aisamul Haq Qureshi-Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Mark Nielsen-Simon Rea (NZ) 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.
SINGLES (PLAYED FRIDAY): Mark Nielsen (NZ) bt Aqeel Khan (Pak), 6-0, 6-2, 6-2; Aisamul Haq Qureshi (Pak) bt Simon Rea (NZ) 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3.
