Pakistan’s top tennis player, Aisam ul-Haq, the first Pakistani ever to be seeded at a Grand Slam tennis tournament, together with Rohan Bopanna made it through to the pre-quarter final round of the US Open in New York defeating Finland’s Jarko Nieminen and German Michael Kohlmann 6-4, 6-4 in the second round.
The first set saw Aisam and Bopanna breaking Kohlmann’s serve to take a 3-2 lead consolidating it to 4-2, said the information made available here on Saturday. After serving out their own game to make it 3-4, Nieminen and Kohlmann were able to break serve in the next game, levelling the set at 4-4. Another break of serve followed, with Aisam and Bopanna now with a chance to serve out the set at 5-4. This they did, and won the first set.
The second set was again a tight contest until 2-2. Break points came and went, with neither team able to take any advantage. At 2-2 however, Aisam and Bopanna raised their game a notch and won six points in a row to secure a break of serve and lead 4-2. Nieminen and Kohlmann again attempted to stem this tide, and almost succeeded when they fashioned three break points with Bopanna serving at 4-3. However, the Asians held their nerve and their serve to make it 5-3. From there onwards, both sides held their serves and Aisam and Bopanna to win the match in straight set.
In the next round, they face second seeded Nedad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor, who are a former world no.1 pair. -Ftapp
