What a fantastic and historic achievement! Beating experienced tennis teams like Thailand and Chinese taipie, Aisam and Aqeel have made us proud. Cant wait to see Pakistani players competing with the likes of players from America or Spain :jhanda: and hopefully these players will enter grandslams as well in coming future.
**Pakistan enters World Group with historic win over Chinese Taipei **](Daily Jang: Urdu News - Latest Breaking News update Pakistan - jang.com.pk)
Tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan created history for Pakistan here o0n Sunday by pulling off a splendid 4-1 win over Chinese Taipei in the Asia Oceania Group I second round tie at the Defence Club. The magnificent victory propelled Pakistan to enter World Group for the first ever time.
Aisam and Aqeel, who started the third day with 2-1 lead, went all out to complete a convincing 4-1 win. Aisam first confirmed Pakistan’s unbeatable 3-1 lead when he got better of Lu Yen in straight set 6-3 6-4, 6-3 in one hour 50 minutes.
Later, Aqeel, playing well after initial hiccups, recovered to beat Ti Chen 6-7 (7/5), 6-4, 6-2 to seal the fate of the match.
Now Pakistan will be meeting either against United States and Spain in the qualifying round in September this year. Earlier, Pakistan had failed to enter the World Cup qualifying round in 1984 after a defeat from Japan.
“I cannot describe my feelings in words. It is really a dream come true”, Aisam said after winning the first singles. “It is historical moments and now the government and the Pakistan Tennis Federation must take giant steps for the promotion of the game in the country,” he said.
Chinese Taipei’s top player Yen was all praise for the Pak duo. “I like to congratulate Pakistan for entering the World Group,” Yen said.
“I was not quite fit but I was instructed by my coach to give my best but Aisam is a great player and Pakistan is also a strong side”, Yen said.
Aisam was looking in his best form. His serves and baseline shots, anticipation over the volleys and the court coverage was excellent.
He played fantastic strokes to earn winners and his sixteen aces speak of his caliber and form.
As opposed to Aisam’s only three double faults, Yen committed seven and could hit only seven aces.
Holding serves both were tied at 2-2 in the first set.
Aisam made it 3-2 by holding his serve and went to take 4-2 lead by breaking Yen in the sixth game after a couple of deuces. When Aisam was at advantage, Yen hit the ball into the net to give Aisam vital lead. In the second set, Aisam again broke Yen in the 7th game to edge closer to the win taking 4-3 lead. After three deuces, Yen failed to return a half-volley as Aisam broke the serve. In the next game, Aisam could hardly save his serve to go ahead 5-3. Yen was at game point (40-15) before Aisam recovered, hitting back-to-back aces and then had three deuces to save the serve. The third set was more eventful as Aisam broke three serves whereas Yen his alone of the match.
First Aisam broke Yen in the very first game when he was down 15-30, and hit the net twice consecutively. Aisam held his serve in the next to consolidate the lead 2- 0. But Yen made it 2-all when he held his own in the third and breaking Aisam in the 4th game.
Aisam looked in a hurry and replied soon to take 3-2 lead by breaking Yen in the third fifth game. He surged 4-2 ahead by holding his own then reached at 5-3 to again broke in the ninth game to complete the win.
Pakistan then opted to field Aqeel, despite winning the tie, while Taiwan replaced Wang Yeu Tzuou with Chen. Aqeel lost the first set but later recovered well, winning the remaining two sets with great ease. Both broke each other’s serves in the fist set to enter the tie-breaker. Aqeel went ahead first in the third game but Chen replied in the next game. Aqeel won tie breaker after dropping five points. But from thereon Aqeel flying high and high gave no chance to Chen to catch him at any stage to win after two hours lasted fight. Result: Aisamul Haq Qureshi (Pak) bt Lu Yen (Taiwan) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Ti Chen 6-7 (7/5),
