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The Indian team completed qualification to the Davis Cup World Group I in an assertive manner on Sunday, February 4 as the national team defeated Pakistan 3-0 in a five-legged tie in Islamabad. As Team India emerged victorious, members of the squad led by captain and coach Zeeshan Ali took a victory lap with the national flag at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
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After Day 1 of the tie, India was sitting on a comfortable 2-0 lead with Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sriram Balaji beating Aisham-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan, respectively. Ramanathan took down Qureshi 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 before Balaji registered a 7-5, 6-3 straight sets win over Khan.
Team India celebrate Davis Cup win over Pakistan
Then on Day 2, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni took down Muzammil Murtaza and Aqeel Khan 6-2 7-6(5) in the doubles fixture to extend India’s dominance over Pakistan. The first set saw Bhambri and Myneni dominate before Pakistan retaliated in Set 2 but the Indian pair held its own to clinch the tie.
With this victory, India registered their eighth straight win over Pakistan in Davis Cup history. Celebrating this win and qualification to Davis Cup World Group I, the Indian contingent took a victory lap around the Pakistan Sports Complex.
A special win for me: Ramkumar Ramanathan
After Day 1's play, Ramkumar Ramanathan described his performance in the singles tie as a special one with the win coming in Pakistan. Speaking to the media, Ramkumar said, “This will go down as a special win for me given we are in Pakistan. It is not easy to win away. It (grass courts) suits my game style the way I play. It is one of my favourite surfaces. I adapted really well. Aisam slowed down the game while serving. It was not easy but I was all pumped up.”
