Aisam, Aqeel, Yasir Khan and Samir Iftikhar constitute the Davis Cup squad currently touring South Korea to test their mettle against the hosts for the Davis Cup Group-II tie.
Riaz, an American coach of Pakistani descent who has trained Pakistan’s Davis Cup team for over 20 days at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Complex, believes his squad can fare well in Korea.
“We have stars like Aisam and Aqeel in the squad. Aisam came all the way from London to join the Davis Cup team. So chances are bright,” Riaz told Dawn, insisting both the players would be instrumental in ensuring a win for Pakistan.
The coach added that Samir and Yasir were also in better shape.
“Samir did well during the training sessions whereas Yasir is also a better-ranked player,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) spokesman Irshad Bhatti said the federation would organise a month-long training session for U-14 and U-16 players at the PTF complex.
“We will be funding the training camp for the youth which will be held during the month of Ramazan,” he said.
Our Correspondent from Karachi adds: Pakistan face an uphill task when they square off against South Korea in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone group two second-round tie in Gimcheon city.
Pakistan won 3-2 against Hong Kong while the Koreans thrashed Syria 4-1 in their first-round rubbers in March.
According to statistics, the Koreans enjoy a 4-2 edge over Pakistan in the Davis Cup ties played between them so far.
Pakistan, however, enter the contest with a 3-2 triumph behind them against the Koreans in the grade one relegation playoff final played on grass court at the Defence Club Lahore in 2003.
Though coming at home, the victory gives little advantage to Pakistan over their opponents.The duo of Aisam and Aqeel was instrumental in Pakistan’s success over Korea eight years back. Jalil Khan and Nomi Qamar were the other members of the
wining quartet.
Pakistan’s earlier triumph (3-2) against Korea came in the first round of Eastern pre qualifying draw at Peshawar in 1979. Though Pakistan have retained the team that whipped Hong Kong on their soil but like previously, Aisam and Aqeel will have to carry the burden on their shoulders.
While Yasir has been accompanying the Davis Cup team since 2006 when he went to Taiwan as an observer, Samir made his Davis Cup debut earlier this year against Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the other two players besides Aisam and Aqeel, travel as mere passengers due to a wide gap in performance.
According to the draws, Pakistan’s top player Aqeel faces Korea’s Kyu-Tae Im while Aisam meets Yong-Kyu Lim in the first and second singles.
No comments:
Post a Comment