Pakistan jump two places in Davis Cup ranking

KARACHI: Pakistan jumped two places to reach 43rd spot in Davis Cup rankings thanks to their 3-2 win over Iran early this month.

Pakistan are now top seeds in Asia/Oceania Group-II and will face unseeded Hong Kong China in the semi-finals from April 7-9. Pakistan have the choice of ground.

If Pakistan win this semi-final they will face either third seeds Philippines or second seeds Thailand in the finals scheduled from September 15-17.

Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) secretary Khalid Rehmani has announced that with the help of Pakistan Sports Board they have already started working on preparing grass courts at PSB that have been selected for the tie against Hong Kong. “Pakistan’s top players Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan are at their best on grass courts, so these courts have been selected for the next tie and hopefully Pakistan will win,” said Khalid.

Pakistan have an edge over Hong Kong as they have won three out of five matches. 

Hong Kong defeated Pakistan 5-0 in a home tie in 1988 in the final of Group-II. They defeated Pakistan 3-2 in Pakistan in the first round of Group-II.

Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 3-2 in Hong Kong in 2000 first round of Group-II.

They crushed Hong Kong 3-1 in Hong Kong in the first round of Group-II in 2010.

In 2011, Pakistan defeated Hong Kong 3-2 in the first round of Group-II.