Published on Mar 07, 2005
Courtesy : Pakistan Daily Times By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: The day belonged to Aisamul Haq Qureshi. The Pakistan number one shocked world number 33 Paradorn Srichaphan in reverse singles 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to help the hosts down Thailand 3-2 and win their Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I tie at the Cosmopolitan Club grass courts here on Sunday. Aisam's sterling performance ensured that Pakistan stay in the Group 1 during the year 2005.

Aisam blasted 21 aces to edge past Asia and Thailand's number one Paradorn before Danai Udomchoke got the consolation victory over Pakistan's reserve player Shahzad Khan 6-3, 7-6 (1) in the last singles. “This is the most memorable triumph of my career,” Aisam told reporters after his heroic two-hour and 40 minutes victory. It is pertinent to mention that Aisam featured in all the three Pakistan victories. He beat Danai in the opening singles on Friday and later together with Aqeel Khan he won the crucial doubles against Paradorn and Danai on Saturday. Aisam was fully focused throughout the match except the second set in which he failed to keep his cool and mixed his emotions in his plan which cost him the set.

“Paradorn serves usually comes like a bullet but today there was not much speed, may be due to the grassy surface,” he added. Aisam said grass caused trouble for the Thai side because they had not sufficient experience on it. “We practiced on this surface for nearly two weeks and got used to the court. The Thai players arrived only two days before the tie which went to our advantage,” Aisam maintained. He said Thailand were a better side than Pakistan because of their ranking but were overwhelmed with the efforts of Aqeel Khan.” Aisam said the victory would also help him in dispelling the impression that he was not a player of singles and only performs in the doubles.

Aisam never looked in discomfort against Paradorn, who appeared to be under tremendous pressure throughout the match. “I simply did not get the bounce of the ball. It was a good match. I tried hard to win but funny bounces on the grass court made it difficult for me,” Paradorn said. “I am upset about losing. It was bad luck, not a bad performance.”

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