Aisam ul-Qureshi, Pakistan’s most profitable tennis participant, doesn’t play singles on the ATP Tour, however when nationwide responsibility calls for it, he willingly takes up the accountability, and the Indian workforce might need to deal with him on the opening day of the Davis Cup World Group I tie, beginning Saturday.
The opening day of the tie will function two singles, and Aisam may play in a kind of towards both Ramkumar Ramanathan or N Sriram Balaji, who will most certainly play on Saturday.
Aisam, 43, had even performed towards Indonesia within the dwelling grass court docket tie in September 2023. He additionally did the singles responsibility towards Lithuania (2022), Japan (2021) and Slovenia (2020). “I have always considered myself to play singles, but I don’t do it every single time. I am preparing for everything, singles and doubles, and the same goes for everyone in the team. We will see. We have one more day of training,” Aisam informed PTI. Aisam has 41-22 win-loss file in singles in 48 matches he has performed in 44 nominations.
Former Davis Cup captain Hameed ul Haq additionally reckons that if Aisam and veteran Aqeel Khan play the singles, the tie gained’t be a lop-sided affair. “We have got some good results on grass but the Indian team is also very good on this surface. They know what is required. I feel India have better chances to win this tie but since Pakistan has two very experienced players in Aqeel Khan and Aisam ul haq Qureshi, if they play singles then the contest will be tight,” he stated.
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For the second consecutive day, persistent drizzle disrupted Pakistan Davis Cup workforce’s observe session, whereas the Indians had been additionally compelled to remain indoors on Wednesday. On Tuesday additionally, when the Indian workforce was nearing the tip of its three-hour session, heavens opened up, forcing an early closure of their session.
Aisam stated not attending to hit for 2 days in a row, certainly impacts the preparations. “Definitely, these things affect the preparations. At the end of the day, these things are not in our control. We need to focus on things we can control and prepare in best way possible. I am sure Indian team’s training has also been affected but it is what it is,” stated world quantity 154 Aisam, who was a top-10 participant in doubles in 2011.
“Hopefully, the weather will be good on Saturday and Sunday so we can have a wonderful tie,” he added. Pakistan captain Mohammed Abid remained optimistic and opted trying on the brighter aspect.
“Well, the players are now well rested. The bodies are relaxed now,” he stated earlier than leaving with Mohammed Shoaib and Barkat Ullah for a fitness center session.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com