BRIDGETOWN: Pakistan’s Davis Cup team suffered a 3-1 defeat against Barbados in their World Group II tie at the National Tennis Center in Bridgetown, Barbados on Sunday.

Darian King led the charge for Barbados, winning both his singles matches.

He first defeated Mohammad Shoaib 6-3, 6-0, dominating with 61 per cent first serve points won, 59 per cent second serve points won and 63 total points won.

King then wrapped up the tie with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Yousuf Khalil, dropping just 42 total points.

Pakistan’s lone win came courtesy of Aqeel Khan, who showed his experience and determination to overcome Kaipo Marshall 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the second singles match.

Aqeel won 97 per cent of his first serve points in the final set to seal the win, with 65 per cent service points won and 87 total points won.

However, the doubles match proved crucial, with Barbados’ King and Haydn Lewis edging out Aqeel Khan and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, the president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, 7-6(3), 6-7(1), 6-2.

The Barbados pair won 70 per cent of their service points, with 120 total points won, proving decisive.

The defeat means Pakistan will now head to the Group II play-off to fight for their place in the competition.

CANADA, NETHERLANDS REACH QUARTER-FINALS

Meanwhile on Sunday, Canada powered into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup for the third straight year with a victory over Britain, while the Netherlands advanced despite a narrow defeat by defending champions Italy.

Needing only one match win in Manchester to eliminate the hosts and top Group ‘D’, Canada got the job done in double quick time as Denis Shapovalov dismissed Dan Evans 6-0, 7-5.

Felix Auger-Aliassime gave the 2022 winners an unassailable 2-0 lead by outlasting British number one Jack Draper 7-6(8), 7-5 in a high-quality clash.

Britain then ensured the crowd had something to cheer about as Henry Patten and Neal Skupski cruised past Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau 7-5, 6-4.

The Final 8 knockout stage will be held in Malaga from Nov 19-24, with a draw taking place this week to determine ties.

Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, the United States, Germany, Canada and Argentina have qualified.

With world number one Jannik Sinner watching on in Bologna, Italy surged to a 2-0 lead against the Netherlands to top Group ‘A’ after Matteo Berrettini beat Botic van de Zandschulp 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and Flavio Cobolli downed Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3.

The Dutch did not lose hope and advanced as runners-up when Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp defeated Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 7-6(6), 7-5 in the doubles match.

Spain rested world number three Carlos Alcaraz for their tie with Australia but earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory to top Group ‘B ‘ in Valencia as Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez rallied past Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Pablo Carreno Busta had given Spain the lead with a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(3) win over Jordan Thompson but Alexei Popyrin beat Martinez 6-4, 6-4 to draw last year’s runners-up level.

Earlier, Chile finished their campaign on a positive note in Zhuhai with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia to finish third in Group ‘C’, although both teams were out of contention.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2024