TAIF, April 19: Aisamul Haq Qureshi played quality tennis on Tuesday and was instrumental in helping Pakistan earn two gold medals on the penultimate day of the first Islamic Games at the Taif University hard courts. Aisam, ranked world No 218, struggled in what turned out to be one of the best matches of the competition, to set singles’ final eventually to win a gold . Earlier, Aisam had outclassed Selimene Saudi to complete Pakistan’s 2-0 win against Algeria to earn first gold in the morning.

Aqeel Khan had won the first singles on Monday against Abdul Haq of Algeria. But the second match between Aisam and the Saudi player remained unfinished due to rain.

Pakistan’s chances to make a clean sweep in tennis have brightened as they have already qualified for the doubles’ semifinal and will meet Algeria later in the afternoon. As Pakistan had beaten Algeria in the team event final they are being considered favourites for the third gold.

Aisam toppled Al-Ghareeb 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 for which he had to work hard for 135 minutes.

Aisam celebrated his victory after breaking Al-Ghareeb’s serve in the 12th game of the third set after three deuces.

It was Aisam’s second victory over Al-Ghareeb.

Aisam started the match in a stormy fashion holding the first serve without dropping any point. He came close to breaking Al-Ghareeb serves in the second, fourth and the eighth games but the Kuwaiti held it after couple of deuces. Aisam reached 5-4 by holding his serve and eventually succeeded to break went on to take 1-0 lead..

Aisam hit three aces while Al-Ghareeb two. But the Kuwaiti also twice double-faulted.

Al-Ghareeb came back strongly in the second set by breaking Aisam’s serves in the very first game of the second set to take an edge.

Surprisingly, Aisam could earn only 15 points in the first game before Al-Ghareeb romped home with a back hand shot. Ghareeb showed impressive form and held on to his serve in the remaining second set to equalize the score 1-1.

Al-Ghareebi hit four aces and he also had one double-fault. Aisam punched three aces.

In the third set, both held their serves with ease. When they were struggling at 5-all it seemed the match will go into tie-breaker.

Aisam held his service to take 6-5 lead. The way Al-Ghareeb was serving there was no chance for Aisam to break his serve. At 15-all, Aisam hit a forehand shot and the ball was very much on the line but a lineman shouted ‘out’ to the surprise of all. Aisam protested but the point went against him giving Al-Ghareeb 30-15 lead. But Aisam caught up and eventually broke the serve to win.

Earlier, Aisam won against Saudi 6-4, 6-4 in the match That lasted for some 90 minutes.

Aisam won the first set after breaking Saudi in the fifth game.

In the second set Aisam again broke Saudi in the sixth game and then held on to win the match.

Pakistan participated in 10 disciplines in Islamic Games. But only the tennis players could earn gold medals for the country. Though the volleyball team played well, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

Five athletes also qualified for the finals but none of them could win a medal.