ISLAMABAD: Thailand closed the gap on Pakistan in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II final as the hosts’ doubles pairing of Muhammad Abid and Shahzad Khan lost at the Pakistan Sports Board Complex Islamabad here on Saturday. Pakistan still lead the tie 2-1 courtesy Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan who both won their singles rubbers in straight sets on the opening day of the tie. On day two, Abid and Shahzad had a promising start as they took the first set 6-4, but they lost their focus from there on, losing the second set 6-4 as Sonchat Ratiwatna and Sanchai Ratiwatna level the match one set apiece. The Thai pair then completely took over, winning the next two sets 6-1, 6-1 to clinch the match and halve their team’s deficit in the tie.
Pakistan now need to win at least one of their two reverse singles matches on Sunday in order to win the tie that will take them to Group I of the Asia-Oceania Zone. “Abid and Shahzad could’ve done better after the first set,” non-playing captain Muhammad Khalid said yesterday. “It was the first time they got the opportunity so I feel they got a bit under pressure.” Khalid explained that both Aqeel and Aisam, who have been the most successful doubles team for Pakistan in Davis Cup with 22 win and only six losses, were rested for day two as they have a big day on Sunday. “We decided as a team that it will be wise to get Aisam and Aqeel some rest and these boys should get a chance as we didn’t want the two key players to burn out early in the competition,” said Khalid. “They will be playing the reverse singles on day three and we are hoping that it will all go well.
This was a safer approach, and both Aqeel and Aisam are confident.” Aisam will play Thai top seed Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul in Sunday’s first singles rubber before Aqeel locks horns with Kittiphong Wachiramanowong in the second match. Pakistan and Thailand have clashed eight times, with each side winning four times each.
Published in Daily Times, September 17th 2017.