Owais Mughal
UPDATE June 26: Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq won his first round Wimbledon match beating Briton Lee Childs 6-3 6-4 7-6. His second round match is a much tougher game where he will meet former Russian No. 1, Marat Safin . According to Guardian Unlimited, the 27-year-old from Lahore said after the game: “I am living my dream. Ever since I started playing, I wanted to play Wimbledon… I was very loose and relaxed on court today,” he said. “I don’t think Lee expected me to come out today so pumped up and fired up.”
ORIGINAL POST:
The news is 3 days old, but important enough that we are compelled to write about it here. Pakistan’s top tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi on Thursday created history by becoming the Third Pakistani ever to qualify for Wimbledon men’s singles.
This moment has arrived for Pakistanis after a gap of 31 years. The first man to represent Pakistan at Wimbledon singles was Khwaja Saeed Hai who qualified for the main round of Wimbledon for 3 consecutive years, viz. 1954, 1955 and 1956. The last man to represent Pakistan at Wimbledon singles was Haroon Rahim in 1976.
Aisam hit the limelight after winning third and final qualifying round against Canadian No 1 Frank Dancevic in a four-set thriller, lasting two hours and 50 minutes, 4-6, 7-6 (11-9), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). In Wimbledon 2007, as of June 26, Aisam has already won his first match against Britain’s Lee Childs by 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 and will now face Marat Safin of Russia in Round two.
It runs in the Family:
Aisam’s mother Mrs Nausheen Ehtesham is also a tennis player and won first of her several Pakistan ladies singles title in 1982. She has also represented Pakistan in the Fed Cup, the women’s version of the Davis Cup.
Her father Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad was also an all-India tennis champion who represented both India and Pakistan in the Davis Cup. Aisam’s mother will travel to London to see her son play in the first round of Wimbledon men’s singles on Monday.
Aisam’s mother told him before thursday’s match:
“Go all out whoever you play, even if it’s Roger Federer, and don’t get overawed by big names.” She further said: “It’s not difficult — and since he is in the same draw as Federer, I pray he gets a chance to play the world number one. It is a cherished moment for us. Aisam has made the whole nation proud.”
The player’s father Mr. Ehtesham Qureshi said his son was progressing fast.
“Aisam’s performance at Halle international earlier this month was superb and beating Richar Gasquet of France was the highlight of his career. I see him going up and up….The first thing he did after qualifying was to send us our tickets.”
Aisam has had a successful career in Junior tennis, where he finished at No. 11 in the world in 1998. That made him Pakistan’s highest-ranked player ever on the international youth tennis arena. After turning pro in 1998, he mostly played Challenger tournaments, and played on the Pakistan Davis Cup team.
Aisam teamed with Israeli player Amir Hadad during Wimbledon and the US Open tournaments in 2002. Together, they were eliminated at the 3rd round of Wimbledon, and then and the Second round at the US Open. Together, they also won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for playing together despite pressure from their communities.
Aisam has retained level of successes and is the number one player of Pakistan who has won quite a few Davis Cup ties in recent years.
Following is some of the tennis related information and player profile of Aisam. Note that the statistics below are true as of June 23, 2007:
Birthdate: 17 March 1980
Birthplace and Residence: Lahore, Pakistan
Current 52 week rank for singles: 259
Current ATP Champions Race Position: 158
Current Doubles Rank: 254
High Rank for Singles: 181
High Rank date for Singles: 1 November 2004
High ATP Champions Race Position: 158
High ATP Champions Rac Position date: 18 June 2007
High Rank for doubles: 89
High Rank date for doubles: 19 May 2003
Career Matches Won: 17
Career Matches Lost: 12
Year to date matches won: 1
Year to date matches lost: 1
Career prize money: $246677 USD
Year to date prize money for singles: $21393 USD
Year to date prize money for doubles: $4044 USD
Height: 6-0
Weight: 172 lb
Turned Pro: 1998
Plays: Right
Back Hand: Right
Aisam on TV
The reason for Aisam’s success may be his prowess as a tennis player; but it’s also his good looks that got him noticed. This fresh faced, pleasant looking young man was first spotted by Khawar Riaz for HUM TV. While tennis is Aisam’s passion Khawar managed to rope in the guy for a shoot in his studios.Surprisingly it turned out quite well. The screen seemed to have instantly taken to this new find. Who knows while Aisam is busy making waves in sports, he may even be spotted modeling for various designers. With his kind of looks and attitude he’s sure to create a stir on that front too. One just has to wait and see.
References:
(1) Information for this post has been taken from the daily Dawn,
(2) Yahoo News
(3) Wikipedia
(4) An Ace Called Aisam, and
(5) The Official Website of Wimbledon 2007
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Wonderful… i think Aisam has a pretty good chance against Marat Safin as well…
agreed Safin has a very impressive profile (Former world No.1 (currently 24), US open champion in 2000, Australlian Open Champion in 2005, Australlian Open Runner up in 2002 and 2004), but what goes in Aisam’s favour is the fact that Safin has never performed well in Wimbledon. Its the only Grand Salam where Safin has never gone past the quarter finals. And since 2002, he has never gone beyond 3rd round in wimbledon…. so Aisam can do an upset here. its gonna be very tough, but its possible.
And if he does… well… lets just hope he does.
actually, lets hope that the best player wins !… cant be unfair to anyone :)
Btw, if you are wondering how you can watch the match then go to http://www.wimbledon.org. TO see vidoes of completed matches to to videos and you can also sign up for live coverage for $29. Btw Aisam plays on Court 1, right after Federer, so I hope he doesnt get nervous
Go Aisam!
Awesome performance by Aisam.. I hope he beats Safin too :)
Great job Aisam. Keep up the great effort young man. You have made us proud of your achievements so far.
I don’t even know how he looks unfortunately- Safin
Awesome ! Aisam is on a roll here.
Adnan, Nadal is playing Wimbledon.
I am not sure but is rafael
NidhalNadal is playing or not? watching nadal and roddick with Federrer is always wonderful to watchI have not watched the match but I hope it would be a great match. Comeon Aisam! Shabash Jawan Shabash!!