Sports in Pakistan is paying the price for March 3, 2009, terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore that left at least seven people, including six policemen and a driver, dead and some seven players, an assistant coach and an umpire injured.

In the aftermath of the scenario, the country's tennis circuit also suffered a severe blow in the preceding year. Pakistan's Asia Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup ties, which were to be played at home against Oman and Philippines, were relocated abroad.

The country suffered heavy financial losses on the one hand, and on the other, lost to Philippines in the second round which may have turned the tide in Pakistan's favour had it been held at home. Pakistan Tennis Federation's (PTF) demand of US$60,000 compensation from the world governing body of the game ITF, was also not met.

With Aqeel Khan, Jalil Khan, Yasir Khan and Jibran Mohammadi forming the nucleus, Pakistan brushed aside Oman 4-1 in the opener held at Manila from March 6-8.

In the absence of celebrity Aisam-ul-Haq, who again dodged by not making himself available, Pakistan went down 2-3 to Philippines to retain their place in group II in 2010. Pakistan was represented by the same team that won against Oman.

Veteran Davis Cupper Rashid Malik accompanied the team as non-playing captain on the two trips.

Apart from the Davis Cup ties, the ITF also cancelled an International junior tennis event at Karachi in March and another at Islamabad in Oct-Nov due to the turmoil in the country. The Indians also pulled out of the International Seniors event.

After making it to the men's singles second round in Wimbledon in 2007, Aisam, 29, kept Pakistan's flag high again at the same venue but this time in men's doubles together with Indian Parkash Amritraj when the pair eased into third round before making exit.

Meanwhile, country's top player Aqeel Khan continued his domination in the domestic circuit thwarting all opposition. He landed national clay court and hard court titles in Islamabad and the Pakistan Open in Karachi. The national hard court was held under the aegis of Subh-e-Nau while the Pakistan Open was organised by the Sindh Tennis Association (STA).

All the three national ranking finals turned out to be all brothers' affairs. Aqeel beat Jalil 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to win clay court title and again gave him (Jalil) a 6-1, 6-2 drubbing to pick up the hard court crown. Aqeel's victim in the Pakistan Open was Yasir who fought his way after getting past Jalil and Nomi in the quarters and semi-final respectively.

As for ladies, Sara Mansoor edged past Lahore's Saba Aziz 6-3, 6-2 to become national clay court champion. The latter, however, shocked top seed Ushna Sohail 7-6, 6-3 to capture the Pakistan Open.

But it was Sara Mahboob who had a lion's share capturing Pakistan Masters, Subh-e-Nau and national hard court, all in Islamabad. Her victim in the first event was Sara Mansoor while in the second she accounted for Ushna Sohail. Contrary to the two events, she had to fought tooth-and-nail to prevail over Lahore's Saba Aziz 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the third.

Off the court, the PTF came down hard on a former official and a veteran player for their alleged role of working against them.