Qureshi Reaches US Open Quarters

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Pakistani tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq and his doubles partner Jean-Julien Rojer fell in the quarterfinals of the US Open Men’s Doubles. Qureshi and Rojer were the fifth seeds, losing to the pair of Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic, respectively, 6-1, 6-7, 6-4.

Qureshi and the Dutchman Rojer are ranked 12th and 13th respectively in the world men’s doubles rankings. Qureshi had hoped to win at least one Grand Slam title in 2013 but will fall short of that goal. In the other Grand Slams this year, Qureshi and Rojer lost in the Round of 16 of the Australian Open and the French Open, while losing in the 3rd round of Wimbledon. Qureshi was previously a doubles finalist at the US Open in 2010. Rojer was a doubles semi-finalist in 2012.

Qureshi has said that Pakistan would be asking for a neutral venue in the next year’s Davis Cup competition. The draws for the 2014 Davis Cup take place in London this week. Pakistan are in Asia/Oceania Zone Group II along with the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Earlier this year Pakistan hosted a Davis Cup tie against New Zealand, only to have the referee award the tie to New Zealand on the basis of unplayable courts.

15-39