Japan trounces Pakistan in doubles to reach Davis Cup qualifiers

Japan trounces Pakistan in doubles to reach Davis Cup qualifiers
Pakistani Aisam Qureshi returns the ball to Thai opponent Trongcharoenchaikul Wishaya during the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-II Tennis singles final match at the Sports Complex in Islamabad on September 17, 2017. (AFP)
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Updated 06 March 2021
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Japan trounces Pakistan in doubles to reach Davis Cup qualifiers

Japan trounces Pakistan in doubles to reach Davis Cup qualifiers
  • Shintaro Mochizuki and Sho Shimabukuro beat Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan
  • The gamble paid off despite Qureshi and Khan pulling off the first set 6-4 

Japan’s doubles pair came from a set down to defeat an experienced Pakistan duo in the Davis Cup World Group I first-round match in Islamabad on Saturday, booking a place in the 2022 qualifiers.

Shintaro Mochizuki and Sho Shimabukuro beat Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in one hour and 47 minutes.

Adding to their wins in both of Friday’s singles clashes, Japan took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie overall.

They will fight for a place in the Davis Cup via next year’s qualifiers, while Pakistan head for the World Group I play-offs.

After the singles victories, Japan gave a debut to young Shimabukuro, partnering former Junior Wimbledon champion Mochizuki in place of their number-one player Yosuke Watanuki.

The gamble paid off despite Qureshi and Khan pulling off the first set 6-4 and looking threatening in the second, but the home pair lost their energy once the Japanese duo took the attack to them.

After a late break in the second set, the Japanese pair broke early in the third, in a tie played without spectators due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The reverse singles will be played on Sunday.