Pakistan sweep USA 3-0 in ITF Masters World Team Championship Opener

Pakistan made a dream start to the ITF Masters World Team Championship by defeating the United States 3-0 in their opening Group match in Lisbon, Portugal.

The convincing victory gives Pakistan an early boost in the prestigious men’s 45+ tournament, where more than 300 players from 30 countries are competing for top honours.

Led by an experienced squad, Pakistan dominated both the singles and doubles contests to complete a clean sweep against the American side.

Former Davis Cup star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi set the tone with a composed performance in the opening singles match. The Pakistan Tennis Federation president defeated Wojtek Brytek in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, handing Pakistan a valuable early lead.

The second singles encounter proved to be the highlight of the tie. Pakistan’s top-ranked player Aqeel Khan battled through a tense three-set contest against John Chesworth. After dropping the opening set, Aqeel fought back with determination to claim a hard-earned 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory, sealing Pakistan’s overall triumph.

The doubles match added even more excitement. Pakistan’s Shehryar Salamat and Hadi Hussain lost the first set but responded brilliantly with an impressive comeback. The pair defeated Jevon West and Guillermo Cosen 1-6, 6-1, 10-6 in the deciding match tiebreak to complete a flawless 3-0 victory.

The emphatic win has given Pakistan valuable momentum ahead of the remaining round-robin fixtures. The team’s blend of experience and composure under pressure was evident throughout the contest, raising hopes of a deep run in the championship.

Pakistan will now face Canada in a crucial second group match. The winner will secure a place in the knockout stage of the tournament, making it one of the most important fixtures of the campaign.

With confidence high after an outstanding opening performance, Pakistan will be aiming to continue its winning run and strengthen its bid for the ITF Masters World Team Championship title. The victory over the United States has already sent a strong message that the Pakistani veterans are ready to challenge the world’s best.