Published on Mar 06, 2005
Courtesy : Pakistan Daily Times By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Pakistan stunned Thailand in the doubles event of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 1 tie on the second day of the three-day contest at the Cosmopolitan Club grass courts here on Saturday. With this victory, Pakistan has taken 2-1 lead.

Top seeds Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan defeated Thailand's duo of Paradorn Srichaphan and Danai Udomchoke in four sets 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) in the match that lasted for two hours and 45 minutes. The reverse singles will be played on Sunday (today). Paradorn will take on Asiam while Udomchoke will meet Aqeel. Pakistan and Thailand won their opening day singles matches on Friday to level 1-1.

It was an outstanding performance on part of the home pair who cut short the challenge of the opponents who rested their original doubles team, twin brothers Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana, and fielded their top players Paradorn and Danai, knowing the strength of the hosts on grass but their gamble backfired.

“I am playing doubles with Aqeel for a long time and we were not under pressure at all,” said Aisam in his post match comments. Aisam, who played some scorching cross-court shots, said his partner Aqeel deserved the credit. “I was in pain when I came to the court today in the morning, but Aqeel supported me very well. And we were confident to win this crucial match as the grass court suits us more than Thai players,” he maintained. Aisam said he still felt the pain in his legs, but was ready to face Paradorn in the reverse singles. “It still hurts me in the legs, but I am confident to do well against Paradorn,” he said.

Despite losing the doubles, Paradorn sounded a warning to Pakistan for the reverse singles. “We are not disappointed at all after losing today. I am not used to playing doubles with Udomchoke and probably that's why they put us under pressure,” he said. Thailand team captain Chanachai Srichaphan blamed unfit players and grassy surface for their defeat to Pakistan. “Our original doubles team was sick and we were left with no option but to field Paradorn and Udomchoke. Even Paradorn was suffering from a throat infection and was coughing and it was really frustrating and disappointing to lose an important match,” he said.

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