Ramkumar, Balaji Give India 2-0 Lead Over Pakistan In Davis Cup Tie

ndia blunted Pakistan's challenge on the opening day to take a 2-0 lead in the Davis Cup World Group I play-off tie, with Ramkumar Ramanathan and N Sriram Balaji rising to the occasion in the high-pressure contest in Islamabad on Saturday. A fired-up Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi gave his all in a tight opening singles but the intensity of the match and tough conditions took a toll on him as he suffered a hamstring injury in the third set, which prevented a close finish to a hard-fought contest, PTI reports. Ramkumar served extremely well in the match and also returned better in the second set to prevail 6-7 (3) 7-6 (4), 6-0 while 43-year-old Aisam served 10 double faults in the match, going for broke. Balaji, a doubles specialist, was challenged by Aqeel Khan, but the Indian defeated the veteran Pakistani 7-5, 6-3 in the rain-hit second singles.

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Updated on: 4 February 2024 9:00 am

Davis Cup 2024: India Vs Pakistan | Photo: PTI

India's Ramkumar Ramanathan during the Davis Cup 2024 tennis match between India and Pakistan, in Islamabad.

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Davis Cup 2024: India Vs Pakistan | Photo: AP/PTI

Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq plays a return shot against India's Ramkumar Ramanathan during their Davis Cup World Group I play-off match in Islamabad, Pakistan. Ramanathan won by 6-7, 7-6, 6-0.

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