Pakistan to face Iran in Billie Jean King Cup final in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran will contest the final of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III on Saturday after both teams won their Friday group ties at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

Pakistan beat top seeds Maldives 2-1 to claim Group A, while Iran defeated Qatar 3-0 to top Group B. Saturday’s final will decide the Group III champions of the tournament, which Pakistan is hosting for the first time.

Suhail and Qureshi settle Pakistan’s tie in singles

Ushna Suhail gave the hosts the perfect start, beating Keyara Usama 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles rubber. Mahin Aftab Qureshi then closed out the tie with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 win over Aishath Karin Saizan, securing Pakistan’s place in the final before the doubles were played.

Maldives salvaged a point in the dead doubles rubber, with Aishath Karin Saizan and Nayara Usama Ali defeating Romaisa Malik and Hajra Sohail 6-4, 6-4.

The victory capped a strong group campaign for Pakistan. The hosts opened with a 3-0 win over Bahrain on Wednesday, with Suhail and Qureshi winning their singles without dropping a game, before Friday’s win over the top seeds sealed their passage to the final.

Iran sweep Qatar without losing a rubber

Iran reached the final in emphatic fashion, winning all three rubbers against Qatar. Yasaman Yazdani set the tone with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Dana Khalifa in the opening singles, before Kimia Sagheb Tehrani followed with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Mubaraka Al Naimi.

Iran completed the clean sweep in the doubles, where Meshkatolzahra Safi and Hana Soltani beat Hind Almudahka and Khadija Gassama 6-2, 7-6 (2).

Iran had already beaten Kuwait 3-0 on the opening day, and Friday’s result confirmed their place at the top of Group B ahead of Saturday’s title decider against the hosts.

Bhutan and Jordan also record wins

In the day’s other Group A tie, Bhutan edged Bahrain 2-1. Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden levelled the tie at one rubber apiece by beating Gharam Alkhayat 6-0, 6-0 after Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo had lost to Hajar Zaidan. Tandin Dorji and Wangsel Lhaden then clinched the tie in a deciding doubles thriller, winning 4-6, 7-5, 13-11.

Jordan beat Kuwait by the same 2-1 margin in Group B. Anna Abualhaj and Noor Sayej won their singles rubbers against Huda Aldabbous and Sumou Aldabbous respectively, while Kuwait claimed the doubles through the Aldabbous sisters, who beat Hajar Al Louzi and Rama Bagaeen 6-2, 6-3.

Historic week for Pakistan tennis

The four-day event, which runs from October 21 to 24, marks the first time Pakistan has hosted the Billie Jean King Cup. Eight nations are taking part: Bahrain, Bhutan, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, Pakistan and Qatar.

Pakistan were drawn with Maldives, Bahrain and Bhutan in Pool A, while Pool B contains Iran, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. The opening ceremony was held on Tuesday at the PTF Tennis Complex on Garden Avenue in Islamabad.

Pakistan Tennis Federation president Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and secretary general Colonel Zia-ud-Din Tufail have said hosting the event reflects Pakistan’s commitment to developing tennis, particularly the women’s game. Saturday’s final gives the hosts a golden chance to win the Group III title in front of their own supporters.

Women’s sport continues to rise in Pakistan, as does the country’s junior talent pipeline, with young players making their mark across formats.

FAQ

How did Pakistan reach the Billie Jean King Cup final?

Pakistan topped Group A after a 2-1 win over top seeds Maldives on Friday. Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi won their singles rubbers to seal the tie at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

When and where is the final?

The final between Pakistan and Iran is scheduled for Saturday at the Pakistan Tennis Federation Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

Who are the Pakistan players at the tournament?

Pakistan’s squad features Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab Qureshi, Romaisa Malik and Hajra Sohail, who all appeared in Friday’s tie against Maldives.

Which teams are taking part in the Islamabad event?

Eight nations: Pakistan, Maldives, Bahrain, Bhutan, Iran, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait. It is the first time Pakistan has hosted the women’s team competition.

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*Sources: The Express Tribune; WE News*

*Best image: real photo of the Pakistan team at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad (credit: PTF), as used by the Tribune for this tie.*