Saeed Hai hails Pakistan’s performance

KARACHI: Tennis legend Saeed Hai on Friday showered praise on Pakistan’s Davis Cup team for its excellent showing against South Korea in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s duo of Aisamul-Haq and Aqeel Khan won their respective singles matches on day one of the tie to give the home team a 2-0 lead in the three-day event.“It was an excellent performance from our players,” said Hai, a former Pakistan Davis Cup captain. “South Korea are a strong team and to take a 2-0 lead against them is a great achievement for our players,” he added.

Hai, who is the first Pakistani tennis player to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam through qualifying matches, was confident that Pakistan will go on to win the Davis Cup tie.“We have a perfect chance to win this match and I’m confident that the players will give their best and win the doubles match to wrap up the tie on Saturday,” said Hai, who featured in the main draw of the Wimbledon Championships in 1955 and 1956, and reached the second round of French Open. He also played in the US Open in 1964, and played in the Davis Cup for Pakistan. Hai is the current Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF).