[ad_1]
IMAGE: India’s Ramkumar Ramanathan is congratulated by Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi after their Davis Cup tie on Saturday. {Photograph}: AITA/X
India blunted Pakistan’s problem on the opening day to take a 2-0 lead within the Davis Cup World Group I play-off tie with Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji rising to the event within the high-pressure contest, in Islamabad on Saturday.
A fired-up Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi gave his all in a good opening singles however the depth of the match and difficult situations took a toll on him as he suffered a hamstring harm within the third set, which prevented a detailed end to a hard-fought contest.
Ramkumar served extraordinarily effectively within the match and likewise returned higher within the second set to prevail 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-0 whereas 43-year-old Aisam served 10 double faults within the match, going for broke.
Ramkumar’s robust serving and share tennis was key to the result of the match. He served 9 video games at love, retaining the factors quick and crisp.
Down by a set, Ramkumar wriggled out of a tricky state of affairs when serving at 3-4, he was down 15-40 and by no means regarded again within the match through which he fired 20 aces.
Balaji, a doubles specialist, was challenged by Aqeel Khan, however the Indian defeated the veteran Pakistani 7-5, 6-3 within the rain-hit second singles.
Balaji had a grip over the match. He broke Aqeel as soon as in each the units. His motion, robust serve, use of drop pictures all got here collectively for a cushty win ultimately.
India are one win away from advancing to the World Group I.
IMAGE: Sriram Balaji, a doubles specialist, was challenged by Aqeel Khan, however the Indian defeated the veteran Pakistani 7-5, 6-3 within the rain-hit second singles. {Photograph}: AITA/X
Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni will now look to seal the tie on Sunday after they tackle Muzammil Murtaza and Barkat Ullah within the third match.
The freezing chilly made the situations difficult for the gamers.
Pakistan have at all times punched above their weight in residence situations on grass courts however India was well-equipped to reply to the problem.
“This can go down as a particular win for me given we’re in Pakistan. It isn’t straightforward to win away,” Ramkumar stated after the win.
“It (grass courts) fits my sport fashion the best way I play. It’s one in all my favorite surfaces. I tailored very well. Aisam slowed down the sport whereas serving. It was not straightforward however I used to be all pumped up,” he stated.
Aisam stated he gave his 100% within the match. “It was actually chilly, making the balls heavy. I didn’t make many errors once I had breakpoints within the second set. He served effectively, one on ‘T’ and had two volleys. He will get credit score for that.”
“In tie-breaker additionally, he got here up with items, however I didn’t make many errors. Then I began feeling ache in my groin and it unfold to my thigh. That slowed me down and likewise my focus shifted to ache. Ramkumar began to serve higher. However I really feel proud, I performed onerous,” he stated.
[ad_2]
Source link
