Aisam and Bhopanna lose but create history
Pakistan’s tennis ace Aisam Ul Haq created history at the US Open by firstly becoming the first Pakistani to be seeded at the Grand Slam, and later by becoming the first Pakistani to make it to the final of both mix doubles and men’s doubles. Aisam fell at the final hurdle in both events but still made a big name for himself and his country in New York
Aisam ul Haq and his Indian team mate Rohan Bhopanna gave the world number one doubles team Bryan Brothers a real run for their money. Few would have expected the final to go the way it did. The South Asian team pushed the Americans to the limits in both sets. Even though the match ended in straight sets, it was obvious that Aisam and Bhopanna deserved to be at the big stage. More interestingly the fact that it was a team comprising of an Indian and Pakistani players gave the contest an added spice.
The duo are trying to send out a message of peace to their respective governments. Aisam said that if they can play together without any problems than why can’t their governments also get along. Also sitting in the stands were both the Indian and Pakistani UN ambassadors.
The Bryan brothers were odds on favourites for the match and were expected to storm through the match. But that is not how it happened, Aisam and Bhopanna kept the match at serve in the first set. The 5th game saw the Asian team having a great chance be breaking the Americans. But twice they did not make use of the break point and the set continued to be played on serve. Eventually it went to a tie break. Once again Aisam and Bhopanna had the advantage and they were up by 3-1 in the tie break, and had a great chance to seal the set on the serve. But the experience of Bryan Brothers probably came through and some nerves from the 16th ranked team acted against them. Bryan brothers won the first set 7-6.
Things were pretty much the same in the 2nd set, both teams were fighting tooth and nail. The home team knew they were in for a contest. Aisam and Bhopanna showed some great teamwork and had the upper hand when it came to the aces. The Asians had 9 aces compared to 4 from the Americans. The 2nd set also saw Qureshi and Rohan with a chance to break but once again let it slip by, as the set headed into the tie breaker. Once again Aisam and Bhopanna held the advantage at 3-1. But just as the first set Bryan brother cranked it up to another level and pressure of the big occasion seemed to have taken over the south Asian duo.
The 2nd set also ended at 7-6 and Bryan Brothers won their 9th Grand Slam, however Aisam ul Haq and Rohan Bhopanna will still return home as heroes. After the match both of them gave the same message of love and peace and said that their team is an example that Pakistan and India can work together. Aisam left the podium with very nice words he said “Pakistan is not a terrorist nation, and all that they want is peace and love for everyone”. The 22,000 crowd at Flushing Meadows stood up and applauded Aisam and the 30 year-old will now go home with his head held high.
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