November 15, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 04, 1428

LAHORE, Nov 14: Pakistan lost the first leg of tennis series against India by 2-1 in a shocking manner after its strong doubles pair of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan succumbed tamely to Ashutosh Singh-Vivek Shokeen at the Defence Club grass courts on Wednesday.

In the first singles played on Tuesday, Aqeel had lost to Shokeen but Pakistan’s ace player Aisam made it 1-1 early on Wednesday, defeating Ashutosh in the reverse singles 6-3, 6-4.

However, in the doubles contest, Aisam and Aqeel who had taken Pakistan into Davis Cup Group-I last year, sank without a whimper against the Indian pair which won 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Both Ashutosh and Shokeen played a high-class game, executing superb serves and vollies to keep constant pressure on Aisam and Aqeel.

The Pakistan pair lost a golden opportunity of winning the first set after they had broken Shokeen’s service in the 8th game to take 5-3 lead.

But Aqeel failed to hold his service in the crucial 12th, allowing the visitors to restore the parity 6-6 as he double-faulted at the last moment to take the set to tie-breaker. The Indians had touched high form after breaking Aqeel’s service in the crucial stages and stormed to victory to go ahead with 1-0 lead.

While the spectators were expecting a good fight back from Aisam and Aqeel, the pair barely stood up against the rampaging Indian pair who took early initiative to gain a 4-2 lead. In the seventh game, the Indians broke Aisam’s service for 5-2 lead and then Ashutosh held his next in great style with 50-0 lead to complete the triumph as the pair celebrated by punching the air.

Later, the Indian team was awarded a cash prize of US$1500 for winning the first leg. Pakistan received US$1000.

Later, Aisam expressed disappointment at Pakistan’s poor show. “I played with Aqeel after almost a year and both of us felt a bit rusty.” Aisam, however, added that the local pair will do its best to square the series by winning the second leg in Islamabad.

India’s Ashutosh said the victory was the result of better planning and hard work as beating Aisam and Aqeel was not an easy task. He hoped for a better show in the second leg too.

Later, both the teams left for Islamabad to play the second leg which will be held on Thursday and Friday.