April 8, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1427

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KARACHI, April 7: Aisamul Haq gave Pakistan the early advantage beating Rohan Bophanna but Aqeel Khan went down fighting against Prakash Amritraj on the opening day of the Asia-Oceania Zone One Davis Cup play-off tie against India to leave the day’s honours shared on Friday at Brabourne Stadium.

Aisam drew first blood against Indian number two Bophanna 3-0 in straight sets to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead.

Bophanna, doubles partner and a friend of Aisam, repeatedly committed unforced errors throughout the match and Aisam exploited the situation to snatch important victory winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4 in under two hours.

Aisam served better than his rival who double-faulted 13 times that eventually cost him dearly.

But Pakistan camp’s joy was short-lived as Indian number one, Prakash Amritraj, made no mistake in leveling the match when he overcomae Aqeel also in three straight sets.

Aqeel fought well in the first two sets and forced into tie-breaks making his opponent work hard for victory.

Amritraj displayed excellent fighting spirit to come back from 1-4 down in the first two sets against Aqeel before raising his game up a notch in the third in sweltering conditions to record a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 victory in two hours and fifty minutes.

The doubles encounter between India's famed combination of captain Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi against Jalil Khan and Asim Shafik would on Saturday could well decide the outcome of the tie.

The reverse singles featuring Amritraj against Aisam and Bophanna versus Aqeel Khan is scheduled for Sunday.

Results (singles)

Aisamul Haq (Pakistan) bt Rohan Bophanna (India) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4; Prakash Amritraj (India) bt Aqeel Khan (Pakistan) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 &-1), 6-4.—Agencies