India vs Pakistan Davis Cup | Ramkumar pips Aisam, hands India 1-0 lead against Pakistan

Ramkumar Ramanathan defeats Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi in a tight singles match, giving India a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in the Davis Cup.

Ramkumar Ramanathan overcame a fighting Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi in a tight opening singles to hand India a 1-0 lead over Pakistan in the Davis Cup World Group I play-off, in Islamabad on February 3.

Ramkumar lost the first set after battling hard against a fired up Aisam, much to the delight of partisan crowd, but bounced back to emerge a 6-7(3) 7-6(4), 6-0 winner at Islamabad Sports Complex in freezing cold conditions.

Aisam struggled to contain his double faults while Ramkumar began to return better as the match progressed. N Sriram Balaji will now take on Aqeel Khan in the second singles of the tie.

Aisam played out of his skin to make it a match but struggled with his left hamstring at the start of the third set. He lost steam towards the end.

Ramkumar saved two break points in game eight of second set and that eventually became crucuial in then outcome of the match.

Ramkumar quickly overcame the initial jitters to serve out the opening game at love with an ace.

Points were long when Aisam served but when the home favourite hit a backhand service return winner on Ramkumar's serve in the third game, it was clerar that match was on.