Aisam breaks into top 20

LAHORE: Pakistan’s tennis ace, Aisam ul Haq Qurieshi, has broken into the top 20 of the world doubles rankings for the first time in his career.
The tennis star, who recently started to play specialist doubles events, has found great form in the later part of his career. Despite turning professional in 1998, Aisam won his first ATP title this season when he managed to reach a grand slam final during the US Open 2010.
Aisam’s ascent began after he found a permanent tennis partner in the form of India’s Rohan Boppana. The ‘Indo-Pak Express’, as they have been branded, complement each other’s game perfectly as the off-court chemistry between the two friends is converted into on-court success. Souring up in the rankings, they have broken into the top twenty as individuals, and number 6th as a team.
Recent performances in the Shanghai Masters Cup along with Aisam’s US Open heroics have taken him to the 19th best spot as a doubles player in the world. 120 precious points, adding to his previous tally of 2988, have propelled him 3 positions up in the rankings.
If the Indo-Pak duo continues the consistent success, they would fulfil their dream of making it to the year ending Tennis Masters Championship in London, where only the top eight teams in the world can compete. Aisam has expressed this as his goal for the season, and looking at the speed at which the Indo-Pak Express is charging it seems highly likely that he would fulfil it.