Paes battles pain and Aqeel to help India down Pak 3-2 in Davis Cup

Mumbai, Apr 9 (UNI) India's captain Leander Paes battled through heavy cramping to quell the challenge of gritty Aqeel Khan to win in a five-set titanic encounter lasting three hours and 48 minutes at 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 0-6, 6-1 and thus help them win the Asia Oceanic Group one Davis Cup tie against Pakistan 3-2 at the Brabourne stadium here today.

India have now moved into the second round of the Asia Oceania Group one.

Earlier, Aisam Quereshi had given Pakistan hope of an upset victory when he levelled the tie at 2-2 by beating Prakash Amritraj in the first reverse singles in four sets at 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and 35 minutes.

India then made a change in their singles line up and Paes stepped up to take the place of Rohan Bopanna against Aqeel who had lost his singles on the opening day to Prakash Amitraj. Paes was playing a singles match in the Davis Cup after a gap of nearly two years.

Aqeel, however, matched Paes in all departments of the game as the first set with serve till the ninth game with Paes leading 5-4.

At this juncture, Paes lifted his game to earn two break points at 40-15. Paes needed just one and with it he pocketed the first set at 6-4.

Aqeel came out with renewed vigour in the second set and had the first opportunity when he broke the Indian ace's service in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead.

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