Pakistan swept aside by Philippines in Davis Cup tie
KARACHI: Pakistan were handed a three-nil thrashing by Philippines in their Davis Cup tie, which concluded with a doubles game on Saturday.
Playing without the country’s leading tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Pakistan lost their singles, reverse singles and doubles matches in straight sets in an embarrassing display in Manila.
The Asia/Oceania Group II second-round tie went underway on Friday, when national champion Aqeel Khan faced Johnny Arcilla in the singles match.
Aqeel lost 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 and his brother, Yasir Khan, was also handed a straight-sets defeat by Treat Huey in the reverse singles match.
The doubles match on Saturday, saw Aqeel pair up with his other brother Jalil Khan, who was named as Aisam-ul-Haq’s replacement. The brothers were unable to replicate the success of the Aisam-Aqeel partnership and lost the match 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 against Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales.
Pakistan, who are now out of the Asia/Oceania Group II, were dealt a blow last month when Aisam-ul-Haq announced his decision to pull out of the Davis Cup squad on fears of developing a chronic knee injury by playing in the hot and humid conditions of Manila.