LAHORE, April 28: Pakistan’s top seed Aisamul Haq will take on Taiwan No.2 Wang Yeu Tzuou in the first singles of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-I tie at Defence Club grass courts on Friday. Pakistan No.2 Aqeel Khan will face Taiwan top seed Hsun Lu Yen in the second singles, according to the draws taken out at the club on Thursday.

The Taiwanese had better ranking in the world as compared to Pakistan. Yen ranked 152 in the world while Tzuou 161. Aisam is world no 215 while Aqeel is 369.

Like Pakistan, both the players from Taiwan will also play doubles on Saturday.

On final day, Aisam will play Yen while Aqeel will face Tzuou in the reverse singles.

The draw ceremony was conducted by International Tennis Federation (ITF) appointed tournament director Asitha Attygala of Sri Lanka.

Interestingly, the winners of the tie will qualify for the World playoff zone in which none of them could enter so far. The winner of the tie will face either India or Uzbekistan in the World zone playoff.

Pakistan looks favourite after earning back-to-back success in a short period with Aisam and Aqeel at their best. Aisam and Aqeel fought hard to beat Thailand in the last tie held in Lahore last month before April 8 to 20 Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia, making a clean sweep by winning all three gold and one bronze medal.

Their performance not only brought Pakistan on the medals table but also helped Pakistan finish at 11th position.

“The visitors are better in ranking but we have the advantage of the grass courts”, Aisam told Dawn.

“I have been facing both Yen and Tzuou at international level and had faced both defeats and victories, but it will be the first time when I will be playing against them on grass courts”, Aisam said.

“I do hope that grass court advantage will give us a big advantage and we will win,” he said. “Our morale is high after beating Thailand and earning success in Saudi Arabia. It will help us a lot,” Aisam said.

Aqeel said all the players were physically fit to face Taiwan in the crucial tie.

“We will try our level best to win it to include our names in history by bringing Pakistan in the World zone for the first time,” he said.

He said that the courts were fast and most suitable for the home side and added Pakistan had never lost a tie to Taiwan at home and the visitors won all three ties at home.

Non-playing captain Mohammad Khalid said the team was well-prepared after playing against Thailand and in Islamic Games.

“I am hoping for good results from the players as weather and court will be an advantage for us,” he said.

Non-playing skipper of Taiwan Chen had already expressed his concern about the grass courts, saying it would be a disadvantage for his side, while top seed Yen had been of same opinion.

“The grass courts are excellent here but we are not good on such surfaces and it will be only our experience which will help us to face a strong Pakistan side,” he said.