Published on Mar 05, 2005
Courtesy : Pakistan Daily Times By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Pakistan and Thailand won their respective opening singles matches in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie at the grass courts of the Cosmopolitan Club here on Friday.

In the opening match, Pakistan's top star Aisamul Haq Qureshi defeated Danai Udomchoke (Thailand) 6-2, 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5) while in second singles Thai number one Paradorn Srichaphan downed Pakistan number two Aqeel Khan 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. The doubles match will be played on Saturday (today), the second day of the three-day tie.

Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool was the chief guest and inaugurated the tie. Also present on the occasion were Pakistan Tennis Federation president Dilawar Abbas and secretary Muhammad Rashid.

Aisam had to overcome cramps in the fourth set to beat Udomchoke after a struggle of 2 hours and 50 minutes before Paradorn brought Thailand on level terms with a straight sets victory over Aqeel in 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Aisam was in terrific form in the first two sets in which he demonstrated excellent volley game with aces and superb serves. “I was in a lot of pain in the fourth set, but thankfully I recovered after taking painkilling injections,” Aisam told reporters after the match. “I am confident I'll recover for tomorrow's doubles because it will be crucial for us,” he added.

Paradorn, ranked 33rd in the world, took his time to adjust against Aqeel. The homeboy lost the opening set but then twice broke his opponent's serve to clinch the second set before the experienced Thai player got his momentum back. However, despite taking the third set into the tie-breaker, Aqeel's rally ran out and the Thai came back strongly to win the match.

“It was tough for me to play abroad on grass,” Paradorn said in his post match comments. “Aqeel played well, especially in the second and third sets, but it is always difficult when you play against an unknown player. It was a great match and I will remember it,” Paradorn said. Thailand lost all three previous Davis Cup ties in Pakistan in 1998, 1989 and 1984 but the presence of Paradorn gives them an edge this year.

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