ISLAMABAD: Veterans Aqeel Khan and Aisam-ul-Haq won their singles matches to give Pakistan an impressive 2-0 lead over Thailand in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II final here at the Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.

Both the home stars, who were representing Pakistan on home soil only for the second time as the country endured a 12-year ban on hosting Davis Cup ties owing to security concerns, registered straight sets victories on the opening day of the tie staged on grass courts.

Aqeel in particular was at his brilliant best as the 37-year-old recorded an upset victory against Thailand’s No.1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul.

The 22-year-old Thai player was favourite because of his age and international standing (542th ranking) when compared to Aqeel, who is not even among the world’s 1500 singles players.

However, seasoned Aqeel with full support from local crowd flattened his opponent 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the match lasting one hour and 46 minutes.

After comfortably claiming the opening set, Aqeel was 3-0 down in the second set but managed to launch comeback, winning five games before his serve was broken by Wishaya.

At this stage, the score was 5-4; Aqeel then pocketed the second set 6-4. Maintaining his momentum, the Pakistani clinched the third set with the same score, and with it the match.

Aqeel conceded his opponent was tough to beat.

“It was not an easy match for which my opponent was favourite. However, I on my part kept concentrating on my game without feeling any pressure while taking full advantage of the grass court,” said a jubilant-looking Aqeel who shot nine aces during the match.

Team manager and former Davis Cupper Hamid-ul-Haq lauded Aqeel’s feat.

“Aqeel’s victory is surely an upset. Honestly speaking we were not expecting him to win against the top Thai player but he has surprised us all with this victory,” Hamid told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Aisam -- the lone Pakistan star who has regularly featured in international matches – outplayed Kittipong Wachiramanowong 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 as the latter was no match to the former in speed and accuracy.

The Thai player in the third set tried his best to engage 37-year-old Aisam in long rallies but found the going tough.

The Pakistan veteran bagged as many as 23 aces during the lopsided match, which continued for one hour and 20 minutes.

“I successfully executed my game plan while taking full advantage of the grass court,” Aisam said. “Had the tie been held on hard court it would have been difficult for us.”

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s non-playing captain Mohammad Khalid said, “We are happy after getting a flying start on the opening day [of the Davis Cup tie].”

Praising the brilliant show of Aisam and Aqeel, Khalid said the management after thorough deliberations will decide who to play doubles on Saturday.

The four-member Pakistan squad comprises Aqeel, Aisam, Shehzad Khan and Mohammad Abid.

The Thai team, on the other hand, also contains twins Sonchat Ratiwatana and Sanchai Ratiwatana who are known as doubles specialists.

The twins are likely to face Aisam and Aqeel in the doubles match who after giving Pakistan a healthy 2-0 lead appear in a good position to outclass their opponents in the doubles too in order to steer Pakistan to Asia Oceana Group I.

After Saturday’s doubles clash, two singles matches will be held on Sunday, the final day of the tie.

Earlier, Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair attended the opening ceremony of the event.

PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan, patron Senator Dilawar Abbas and secretary Sanaullah Aman were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2017