Pakistan Dominate Bahrain in Billie Jean King Cup Opener
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan made an impressive start to their Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III (B) campaign on Wednesday, defeating Bahrain 3-0 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Tennis Complex in Islamabad.
The victory marked a significant occasion for Pakistan, as the country hosted the international women’s team tennis competition for the first time.
Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi led Pakistan’s successful opening-day performance, winning their singles matches in straight sets before combining for a convincing doubles victory.
Suhail delivered a dominant display against Hajar Zaidan, winning 6-0, 6-0. Qureshi followed with an equally commanding performance, defeating Gharam Alkhayat by the same scoreline to give Pakistan an unassailable lead.
The Pakistani duo then completed the clean sweep in the doubles, overcoming Eman Alzaimoor and Zaidan 6-1, 6-0.
Pakistan Tennis Federation president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary-general Colonel Zia-ud-Din Tufail congratulated the players on their performances and expressed optimism about the team’s chances in the tournament.
Eight nations are participating in the competition, with the teams divided into two groups.
Elsewhere, the Maldives also opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bhutan. Keyara Usama Ali defeated Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo 6-1, 6-0, while Aishath Karin Saizan beat Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden 6-0, 6-1.
The Maldivian pair subsequently secured the doubles point, defeating Tandin Dorji and Kinley Yangden 6-1, 6-0 to complete their team’s clean sweep.
Iran also enjoyed a winning start, recording a 3-0 victory over Kuwait. Hana Soltani defeated Huda Aldabbous 6-2, 6-0, while Kimia Sagheb Tehrani beat Sumou Aldabbous 6-0, 6-0. Meshkatolzahra Safi and Yasaman Yazdani then wrapped up the tie with a 6-0, 6-2 doubles win over the Aldabbous sisters.
In another closely contested encounter, Jordan defeated Qatar 2-1. Ana Abualhaj fought back after losing the opening set to beat Dana Khalifa 5-7, 6-4, 6-0. Noor Sayej then secured Jordan’s overall victory by defeating Mubaraka Al Naimi 7-5, 6-0.
Qatar claimed the doubles match, with Hinda Al Mudahka and Khadija Gassama defeating Abualhaj and Sayej 6-3, 6-4.
Pakistan will look to build on their strong opening performance as the competition continues in Islamabad, with the home team aiming to make the most of its advantage in front of the local crowd.
