Qureshi-Rojer stumble at final hurdle in Paris
India’s Rohan Bopanna (2ndL) and teammate India’s Mahesh Bhupathi (L) pose with their trophies after defeating Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (2ndR) and Netherlands’ Jean-Julien Rojer (R). -Photo by AFP
Seventh seeds Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer stumbled at the final hurdle at the Paris Master, going down 6-7, 3-6 against Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.
As a result, fifth seeds Bhupati and Bopanna won their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, sharing € 142,500 in prize money and bagging 1,000 ATP Doubles Team Rankings points. Fellow Barclays ATP World Tour Finals qualifiers Qureshi and Rojer received €69,780 and 600 points.
“The match could have gone either way, but I felt we played really well on the big points,” said Bhupathi.
“At this level, at this stage of any big event, that is what counts.”
According to the ATP, Bhupathi, 38, has now won 16 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies, while Bopanna clinches his second shield. Last year, Bopanna and Qureshi won the Paris title.
Qureshi and Rojer, who saved two match points in a 17-15 Match tie-break second-round win over Feliciano Lopez and Nenad Zimonjic, were playing their third ATP World Tour final together (2-1). Qureshi drops to 7-8 in title matches and Rojer to 7-9.
Qureshi sounded upbeat despite the defeat.
“Making it to the London Masters was my aim for the year and I have achieved it,” Aisam told The Express Tribune.
“It’s my second year in the ATP London Masters. The top eight teams are competing and I have proved my worth. It was with Bopanna last year and this time around Rojer will get to play his first World Tour so I am excited for both of us.”
Aisam is the most successful doubles player. Pakistan’s most successful singles player was
Haroon Rahim who reached a career best singles ranking of world # 44 on Feb 7th 1977 . This is a far greater achievement than Aisam’s best single’s ranking of world # 125
I feel it’d have been a great sight if Bopanna-Qureshi would have paired up to win the title. Well just a thought!!!!!
I agree too .. although, we need to realize that Bopanna’s decision to go with Bhupathi at the beginning of the year was the right decision .. to be able to compete in the Olympics. Aisam would have done that too if he had a chance. In any case, both Aisam and Bopanna are true class acts – my heros. Who knows maybe they will be back together and win a grand slam .. oh they were so so close at the 2010 US Open.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is the most successful tenis player Pakistan has ever produced. What most of the time goes wrong in finals has to be answered. Why most of the time the final is lost is disturbing.
Just accept the results..