Pakistanis stun Filipinos, sweep reverse singles

THE GALLERY disappears behind a cramps-stricken Johnny Arcilla as he hits a topspin forehand while trailing Aqeel Khan, 1-5, in the fifth set. RODEL ROTONI

MANILA, Philippines — Pakistan completed a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Cebuana Lhuilier-Philippines Davis Cup squad, salvaging the two reverse singles to win their Asia Oceania Group 2 tie, 3-2, Sunday at PCA shell-clay courts in Manila.

Aisam Qureshi outlasted Patrick John Tierro, 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, to clinch the tie for Pakistan after Aqeel Khan downed a cramps-stricken Johnny Arcilla, 4-6, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 5-1, in a dramatic turn-around after the host country swept the opening singles Friday.

Pakistan thus moved up to the Group 2 finals against Thailand which beat Kuwait, while the Philippines will stay in Group 2 for the fourth consecutive time next year.

The 34-year-old Qureshi, the world’s No. 27 in doubles and 2010 US Open doubles finalist, played the hero’s role for Pakistan as he replaced Samir Ifthikar in the fifth and deciding match against Tierro.

Pakistan didn’t even play Qureshi in the opening singles, and he saw action only in the doubles which he and Khan clinched over Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzalez on Saturday.

Tierro fought hard, breaking Qureshi’s serve twice in the third to remain alive, but the Pakistani responded by breaking the Filipino’s serve in the third and ninth games to nail the fourth set and the match.

Arcilla, acknowledged as the court’s undisputed king with seven PCA Open crowns, replaced PH top gun Ruben Gonzales in the hope of bringing in fresh legs against Khan, who has played two matches.

The gamble seemed to pay off when the 34-year-old Arcilla stormed to a 2-1 sets lead.

But at 2-0 in the fourth set, he suddenly crouched at mid-serve and asked for a medical timeout.

Team officials later said Arcilla pulled a groin muscle, which Khan exploited to take the set.

Arcilla gamely battled on but limped to a corner with the 34-year-old Pakistani leading at 5-1 and 30-15. He didn’t return to court.

“I was also cramping, I was just hanging in there, but I didn’t want him to see that,” said Khan, who was actually the first to request for a leg massage. “This is Davis Cup, you don’t let your opponent see that.”

It was Arcilla’s 50th Davis Cup match, but it was Khan’s 88th. Both have earned Davis Cup commitment awards.

Gonzales replaced Arcilla for Saturday’s doubles but he and Treat Huey bowed to Khan and Qureshi, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.

Gonzales thumped Samir Ifthikar, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1, and Tierro downed Khan, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4, in the opening singles last Friday.