Wheelchair Tennis: Pakistan defeat India 2-1
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-Pakistan Wheelchair Tennis team outplayed Indian Wheelchair Team 2-1 in the Wheelchair Tennis World Cup qualifying tournament in Antalya, Turkey.
According to available information from abroad, in the first Singles, Mariappan Durai defeated Fida Hussain in straight sets 2-0 without conceding a solitary game at 6-0, 6-0 and earned vital lead 1-0 in the match.
Pakistan bounced back in the match when UK based Pakistan top wheelchair guy, Asif Gul Abbasi outclassed his Indian opponent Sathasivam 2-0 without conceding a single game during the two sets. Abbasi was too good and displayed top quality game sitting in chair to square the affairs 1-1.
Later, in the Doubles’ decider, Asif Gul Abbasi paring with Fida Hussain ousted challenger pair Mariappan Durai and Karthik 2-1 in a well-contested three sets contest. In the first set, Indian players got the earlier lead 3-0 that helped them to finish the set at 6-4.
Meanwhile, in the second set, India got the lead 3-1. Pakistan fought brilliantly and leveled the set score 3-3, Pakistani lads maintained their game pace clinched the set 7-5 to level the match 1-1. In the Super Set Pakistan overcame India at 10-3 to ink the victory. The final score-line was 4-6, 7-5 and 10-3.
Pakistan wheelchair tennis team comprises of renowned wheelchair tennis player Asif Gul Abbasi, based in UK, Fida Hussain, Mohammad Irfan and team captain, Mohammad Khalid Rahmani of Sindh Tennis Association (STA).
Results:
Mariappan Durai beat Fida Hussain 6-0, 6-0
Asif Gul Abbasi beat Sathasivam 6-0, 6-0
Asif Gul & Fida Hussain beat Karthik & Mariappan Durai 4-6, 7-5, 10-3