Aisam and Santiago gives hard time to top pair in Chengdu Open 2018
Aisam ul Haq & partner Santiago Gonzalez lost to top seeded pair of Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic by 2-1 in the semifinal of Chengdu Open 2018 in Chengdu, China.
Pakistan foremost player Aisam ul Haq & partner Santiago Gonzalez lost to top seeded pair of Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic by 2-1 in the semifinal of Chengdu Open 2018 in Chengdu, China.
Aisam & Santiago started the match on a positive note as they easily defeated top seeded pair of Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in the opening set by 7-5 in 44 minutes battle.
In the 35 minutes battle of second set, Dodig-Mate gave hard time to PAK-Mexican pair as they broke their 2nd serve. Aisam-Santiago held their serves under pressure to reduce the lead to 3-4, but the top seeded pair earned the first set point on their serve at 5-4 and sealed it there in the half hour long set at 6-4.
In the super set battle, serving first, Aisam & Santiago gave hard time to Dodig & Mate pair as they breezed to 7-5 while winning the 1st and 2nd serve of Dodig & Mate. Top seed came back strongly and broke the last 3rd serves of PAK-Mexican pair to win the set at 10-8 in just 14 minutes and book berth into the final of Chengdu Open 2018.
The duo, seeded fourth in the doubles draw, took time out to visit Jincheng Greenway yesterday, one of Chengdu’s latest and greatest ecological master plans.
“It’s my second time here in Chengdu. It’s very nice to be back. The national park here is super nice and gives an interesting perspective as to why the Chinese are so fit I think. The government and other organisations try to promote a lot of healthy things for people to do publicly. It’s good to see so many football pitches, badminton and other fitness activities. Other countries should learn from it. It’s a great initiative to promote health and fitness for the public,” said Qureshi.
