Bopanna beaten, Rastogi wins to draw parity in Indo-Pak tennis test

Islamabad, Nov 7 (UNI) After Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna found himself on the wrong side of a three-set thriller against top Pakistani player Aisam-ul-Haq, Karan Rastogi swept away Aqeel Khan in straight sets as the host and the visitors ended day one of the ongoing tennis test here with even honours.

Pakistan captain Aisam, who braved a family tragedy and appeared for his country, fetched the lead for his side, taming big-serving Bopanna 6-3, 5-7 (5), 7-5 in a see-saw match but Rastogi was irresistible against Aqeel as the Indian chalked out a facile 6-0, 6-4 win to draw parity.

Aisam, still mourning the recent death of his grandmother, broke Bopanna in the eighth game and there was no looking back as he walked away with the set.

Bopanna raised his game in the next set, forcing tie-breaker before eventually winning it.

The third set was also an intense affair before the Pakistani came from behind to win the set and the match.

The second match, however, was a one-sided affair with Rastogi blanking Aqeel and though the Pakistani Davis Cupper put up a better show in the second set, it was too little and too late.

Bopanna and Rastogi will team up today to take on the Aisam-Aqeel duo in the crucial doubles match.

Both the teams will then move to Lahore to play the next match on grass on November 8-9.

The last two Tests would be played in Chandigarh and Delhi.

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