Aqeel seals thrilling triumph for Pakistan in Davis Cup
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ISLAMABAD: Aqeel Khan fired Pakistan to a 3-2 victory over Thailand in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II finals at the Pakistan Sports Complex grass courts here on Sunday helping the home side win promotion to the region’s Group I.
Aqeel, who was under pressure after Aisam-ul-Haq lost to Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul in the day’s first fixture, beat Kittiphong Wachiramanowong 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2 in a five-set thriller which lasted three hours and three minutes.
Aqeel went off to a flying start, winning the first two sets but Wachiramanowong responded with powerful serves and exquisite loop shots to win the next two comfortably.
The Karachi-born veteran won three consecutive games at the start of the fifth set which was too much for Wachiramanowong to make a comeback and Pakistan’s success in the three-day event was confirmed.
“I am very delighted after this big victory,” said Aqeel. “After Aisam’s defeat, I was under pressure, but I remained focused to win this crucial match,” he said.
Aisam finished second-best earlier in a close contest against top-ranked Thai opponent Trongcharoenchaikul who won 7-5, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3).
The match lasted four hours and eleven minutes with the Pakistan veteran suffering from a leg injury in the final set.
Aisam, who rarely plays singles, was 2-0 down, and made a strong come back in third game, winning it 6-4. In fourth game, both players exhibited a brilliant show, with Aisam winning it on a tie-break.
Trongcharoenchaikul made a comeback and took the fifth set in the same way making the most of Aisam’s injured left leg and winning the match.
The Pakistan management on Saturday chose not to field Aisam and Aqeel in the doubles fixture against Thai twins Sochai Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana who eventually beat Mohammad Abid and Shahzad Khan to cut down the home side’s first day’s lead.
“Yesterday, there was criticism for not fielding our pair [Aisam and Aqeel]. I was not fit, that’s why the management opted not to take risk in the doubles,” said the 37-year-old.
Pakistan were last promoted to the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group I in 2015.
Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2017
