ISLAMABAD: In a historic Davis Cup encounter between India and Pakistan, India secured a 2-0 lead in singles matches held in Islamabad on Saturday. This marks the first time in 60 years that the two nations have faced off in a Davis Cup tie on Pakistani soil.
India’s participation in Pakistan was necessitated after the International Tennis Federation rejected their plea to shift the tie to a neutral venue citing security concerns. The last Davis Cup encounter between the two nations occurred in Kazakhstan in 2019, where India maintained a 7-0 record against Pakistan in Davis Cup ties.
In the Group 1 play-off first-round tie, Indian singles specialist Ramkumar Ramanathan overcame Pakistan’s veteran Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi with a scoreline of 6-7, 7-6, 6-0 in a two-hour battle. Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, aged 43, sustained a hamstring injury in the second set, impacting his ability to compete in the final set.
The second singles match saw India’s Sriram Balaji secure victory over Aqeel Khan with a score of 7-5, 6-3 in just an hour and 15 minutes, further solidifying India’s lead in the tie.
The focus now shifts to the doubles and reverse singles scheduled for Sunday, where both teams will strive to gain crucial points in their bid to advance in the prestigious Davis Cup competition.
This Davis Cup clash adds a significant chapter to the rare sports encounters between India and Pakistan.
