LAHORE, April 30: Ace Pakistani duo of Aisamul Haq and Aqeel Khan gained a 2-1 lead after a morale-boosting 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 7-5 victory over Taiwanese pair of Lu Yen and Wang Yeu Tzuou in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group-I doubles on Saturday. The triumph, which came after a two hours and 50-minute battle, made the job easy for the Pakistanis to secure a World Group playoff berth. Pakistanis, who were tied at 1-1 after Friday’s singles, now face the visitors in reverse singles on Sunday.

Aisam dominated the game with his blistering serves, while Aqeel was also impressive as opponents could only break his serve once at Defence Stadium. The Pakistani pair went ahead 1-0 after struggling for one hour 10 minutes in the first set which was decided on tie-breaker. Aisam and Aqeel were dominating in the first set when they broke Yen’s serve in the seventh game to secure a 4-3 lead.

After being 15-40 down, Yen was bit upset and double faulted to give Pakistan an advantage. The Pakistanis, however, wasted the chance when Aqeel failed to hold his serve. Despite being 0-40 down, Aqeel staged a comeback with two winners but Taiwan restored parity when Aisam’s return went out.

Holding serves both sides were tied at 6-6. Pakistan finally increased the lead to win the set 7-3 on tie-breaker. Aisam and Aqeel came with an improved game in the second set, and were 3-0 up by breaking Tzouo’s serve in the second game. They again broke the serves in the eighth game to win 6-2.

In the third set, Taiwanese fought hard only to see hosts maintaining their form. Yen and Tzuou were close to breaking Aqeel’s serves in the ninth game but he survived the scare with three deuces. Aisam held his serve in the 11th game to give Pakistan a 6-5 lead.

While it seemed the set would also be decided on tie-breaker, Aisam and Aqeel finished off the job by breaking Yen’s serve in the 12th game to win the set and the match.

Aisam said 2-1 lead was morale-boosting before the reverse singles. It would play a vital role in deciding the reverse singles, he said.

Aqeel said the way Aisam was playing, it would not be impossible to win a match from two to play tomorrow.

However, Taiwan’s non-playing captain Chen said that his players had the potential to stage comeback in the tie. “They are lacking in serves but I believe we can still win tomorrow.”

Yen, however, did not agree he failed in serves. “I am quite satisfied with my performance today,” he said.

Aisam will face Yen in the first reverse singles, while Aqeel meets Tzuou.

Result (doubles):

Aisamul Haq/Aqeel Khan (Pakistan) bt Wang Yeu Tzuou/Lu Yen (Taiwan) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, 7-5.