-File photo

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi/Jean-Julien Rojer 3  6 [6] Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan         6   7 [8]

So Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi's Olympic dream is all but over. He can, reportedly, still make it if he receives a wildcard entry from the organisers. Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer showed a lot of intent against the second-seeded Bryans but were unable to capitalise on their advantages. There wasn't much difference between the two sides but the men's doubles world-record-holders showed whey they have multiple grand-slam titles under their belt. (Scroll down for older updates)

Match (and set) point for Bryans on Qureshi-Rojer serve but tenth seeds hold nerve and make it 6-6. They can't, however, hold serve on the next point and give away the set and match on the Bryan set.  8-6

Wide serve and following return make it 4-3 for Bryans. Qureshi-Rojer win both points on their serve to make it 5-4.

Bryans open the tie-break and make it 2-1. Qureshi-Rojer are back with 3-2 lead.

Bryans hold serve despite some fight from Qureshi-Rojer. Into the tie-break.

Nervy game as Bryans threaten to break Qureshi-Rojer show grit to make it 6-5.

Bryans hold back and it's 5-5 in the second.

Qureshi-Rojer wobble on serve but are able to hold on to the lead. 5-4

Bryans hold serve but Qureshi-Rojer look better now. 4-4

Qureshi-Rojer have a spring in their step after breaking back. They sail to game point and seal it. 4-3 in the second.

Smooth sailing for the Bryans in their service game until 15-40 as Bob (or Mike?) hits a 'tweener but finds a strong return. It gets to deuce when Qureshi hits a SLICK return and gets the advantage. The break back with a strong point! Game on.

Poor service game from Qureshi gives Bryans a break in the second set. This isn't looking good for the Pak-Dutch pair.

Qureshi scores an overhead winner at 0-40 down but that doesn't hold the Bryans back from restoring parity.

On-the-line winner from Bryans and unforced error from Qureshi-Rojer makes it 0-30. The tenth seeds make it 30-30 before Rojer sends an ace for game point. Piercing winner from Bryans gives them deuce. At Bryans' advantage, their return bumps off the net to fool Qureshi. However, Qureshi-Rojer fight back. Qureshi's smash and it's advantage Qureshi-Rojer. Bryans score a winner and bring it back to level terms. Long game but Qureshi-Rojer are able to maintain their service lead.

Qureshi-Rojer go on to take a 40-30 lead Bryans make it a deuce and take the game. Chance of breaking the second seeds gone.

Strong service game from Qureshi. Takes them to 1-0 lead without any hiccups.

Bryans take the first set with an easy game win in the ninth. Pressure on Qureshi-Rojer now, who will open the second set.

Qureshi-Rojer go 0-30 down before making it 30-30. Rojer's unforced error gives game point to Bryans. They hit out but call is reversed by the chair umpire and the point is played again. Qureshi nets it to give Bryans a break in the first set.

A few Pakistanis in the crowd, apart from Aisam's family. Stands almost empty otherwise.

Another smooth ride to the game point for Bryans. End to end.

Qureshi's serve: Bryans get the first point with a winner but Qureshi-Rojer are able to grab the game. Qureshi hits another ace. His second of the set.

Bryans hold serve without dropping a point. Pressure back on Qureshi-Rojer.

Qureshi hits the net on Rojer's serve to bring Bryans level at 30-30.  Bryans return the favour and it's 40-30 to Qureshi-Rojer. It goes to deuce but Qureshi-Rojer are able to convert.

Bryans come back strongly after giving away the first point and go back in the lead.

Qureshi-Rojer hold serve after giving away the first two points to unforced errors. Qureshi serves an ace to seal the first game for the duo.

The Bryans get the match underway and hold serve, opening with an ace.

Play is about to get underway in the second men's doubles semi-final. Aisam's family are in the stands.

[Earlier report] Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is a few hours away from finding out his fate for the London Olympics, as he and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer take on Bob and Mike Bryan in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Qureshi and Rojer face the number two seeds, whom they beat in the Madrid Masters last month, in the second men’s doubles semi-final late Thursday.

A win in the match on Rolland Garros’s Suzanne Lenglen court will help Qureshi improve his ATP doubles ranking and make him eligible to represent Pakistan at the London Olympics next month.

In the first semi-final, top seeds Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi beat the Italion duo of Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace. The top seeds won the match 6-3, 6-4.

This year’s French Open run has been Qureshi’s best of his career, while his first grand slam final came in 2010, when he and Rohan Bopanna of India qualified for the men’s doubles final at the US Open. The pair lost to the Bryan brothers in straight sets.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.