<p>In a close first singles match, Ramkumar Ramanathan defeated a resolute Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi to give India a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in the Davis Cup World Group I play-off on Saturday in Islamabad.</p>
<p>Much to the partisan crowd’s pleasure, Ramkumar dropped the first set after putting up a strong fight against an energised Aisam, but he recovered to win the match 6-7(3) 7-6(4), 6-0 at the Islamabad Sports Complex in very cold circumstances.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-385386″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-ind-vs-pak-davis-cup-india-leads-1-0-as-ramkumar-ramanathan-defeats-aisam-ul-haq-q.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com ind vs pak davis cup india leads 1 0 as ramkumar ramanathan defeats aisam ul haq q” width=”1074″ height=”716″ title=”IND vs. PAK, Davis Cup: India leads 1-0 as Ramkumar Ramanathan defeats Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-ind-vs-pak-davis-cup-india-leads-1-0-as-ramkumar-ramanathan-defeats-aisam-ul-haq-q.jpg 510w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-ind-vs-pak-davis-cup-india-leads-1-0-as-ramkumar-ramanathan-defeats-aisam-ul-haq-q-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1074px) 100vw, 1074px” /></p>
<p>As the match went on, Aisam found it difficult to control his double faults, and Ramkumar started to play better. Aqeel Khan will now face N Sriram Balaji in the second singles round of the tie.</p>
<p>Aisam battled with his left hamstring early in the third set, but he played out of his skin to force a match. He became stale in the end.</p>
<p>In the eighth game of the second set, Ramkumar saved two break chances, which ultimately determined the result of the match.</p>
<p>After overcoming his early nerves, Ramkumar finished the first game at love with an ace.</p>
<p>When Aisam served, the points were lengthy, but in the third game, it was clear that the match would go on when the home team’s favorite struck a backhand service return winner on Ramkumar’s serve.</p>
<p>Ramkumar served really effectively, even though the drop in temperature made the balls heavy and difficult to manage. After firing his third ace of the match to close the fifth game for a hold, he had already unleashed five aces in his first three service games.</p>
<p>Aisam often rushed the goal and made excellent use of drop shots. Despite serving three double faults, the Pakistani player recovered well in the next few points to avoid any injuries.</p>
<p>Ramkumar served five games at love in the first set, which was ultimately decided in a tiebreaker. He displayed excellent percentage tennis.</p>
<p>With a break of service on the first game, Aisam quickly took a 3-0 lead. Ramkumar missed with his forehand, and Asiam held his serves in the next several points.</p>
<p>Aisam got his first set point when Ramkumar lobbed a long forehand serve, which he converted with an ace and let out a loud cry.</p>
<p>In the second set, Ramkumar had the sort of start he needed. He scored eight points in a row to lead by one break when Aisam failed to serve at love.</p>
<p>However, the Indian wasted the chance to apply further pressure when he failed to hold his serve in game four. Aisam made some incredible backhand strokes. One that caught attention was a winner of a service return while he was trailing 30–40.</p>
<p>With a thunderous backhand pass that won, he set himself up for a breakpoint, and Ramkumar gave in to the pressure by missing with a forehand.</p>
<p>With all of their energy, Asiam won 3-2 and comfortably held the match. Ram avoided two breakpoints in game eight. Once again, Aisam scored two breakpoints thanks to his winning serve return. Ramkumar provided excellent servings for each of them.</p>
<p>Everything came down to a tie-breaker in a rematch of the first set, and this time it was the Indian who broke through on the first point with a winning serve return. Ramkumar quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead and eventually scored five set points. Aisam stopped the first four, but Ramkumar’s ace in the fifth game sealed the victory.</p>
<p>After breaking Aisam in the second game, Ramkumar earned the first blood in the third set. He used his forehands to strike Aisam’s servicve.</p>
<p>Ramkumar struck a passing backhand winner and another winner to tie it deuce after Aisam had taken a 40–15 lead. Aisam served a double fault to assist his opponent, and Ram landed a winning service return to earn a break point.</p>
<p>Aisam needed to take a medical break to rehabilitate his hamstring and groin since he was now having trouble. After that, Ramkumar just fled with the match.</p>
IND vs. PAK, Davis Cup: India leads 1-0 as Ramkumar Ramanathan defeats Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
