Summary
- Aisam and Aqeel have reached the semifinals in mixed doubles as well, although they are competing with different partners.
- Aqeel has advanced alongside Germany’s Eline Aranas Roth, while Aisam has reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Austria’s Nina Hermann.
- After surviving two match points and overturning a first-set defeat, Aisam and Aqeel now stand just one victory away from reaching the championship final.
Pakistan’s veteran tennis stars Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan produced a dramatic comeback to reach the men’s 45+ doubles semifinals at the ITF Masters World Championship.
The Pakistani pair defeated Spain’s Francisco Xavier Martinez Vina and Pedro Nieto Oriana in a thrilling quarterfinal that went down to a deciding match tiebreak.
After losing the opening set 6-7, Aisam and Aqeel refused to let the match slip away. They raised their intensity in the second set, saving two match points before forcing the contest into a tiebreak.
The Pakistanis held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the second-set tiebreak 7-6 to level the contest and set up a decisive match tiebreak.
They then produced their best tennis of the match, racing to a commanding 10-2 victory in the deciding breaker to complete an impressive turnaround.
The result sends the experienced Pakistani duo into the semifinals, where they will face a Ukrainian pair for a place in the final.
The success also adds to an already impressive campaign for both players. Aisam and Aqeel have reached the semifinals in mixed doubles as well, although they are competing with different partners.
Aqeel has advanced alongside Germany’s Eline Aranas Roth, while Aisam has reached the mixed doubles semifinals with Austria’s Nina Hermann.
For Aisam, the tournament continues to underline his remarkable longevity in international tennis. The former Pakistan Davis Cup star remains a major presence in the Masters circuit, while Aqeel’s performances have further strengthened Pakistan’s challenge in Lisbon.
Their latest comeback will give the pair considerable confidence heading into the semifinals. After surviving two match points and overturning a first-set defeat, Aisam and Aqeel now stand just one victory away from reaching the championship final.
Pakistan will be hoping the experienced duo can carry their momentum into the next round and add another major achievement to their impressive Masters campaign.
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