The Indo-Pak Express Might Not Get Back Together

Written by: Staff on 31st January 2012

The Indo-Pak Express Might Not Get Back Together

Mahesh Bhupathi (R) and Rohan Bopanna of India during their semi final match against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram of Israel at the Chennai Open 2012 tennis tournament in Chennai, India, 07 January 2012. Erlich and Ram won 4-6, 6-3 and 10-8. EPA/NATHAN G |

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When Rohan Bopanna and Aisam ul Haq Qureshi split their popular Indo-Pak Express doubles team, the widely held belief was it was only a temporary measure in an Olympic year and the partnership would reform once the medals have been decided on the courts of the All England Club in August.

However Qureshi, who appeared to get the thinner wedge of the deal after Bopanna teamed up with fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi, maintains the reconciliation might not happen if he gets the desired results with new partner Jean-Julien Rojer.

The new pairing suffered a third round exit at the recent Australian Open, but both acknowledge it will take time for their partnership to gel. Rojer, who hails from Curaçao—a small island nation in the Caribbean, formerly played alongside Eric Butorac of the United States.

Speaking at the Karachi Press Club, Qureshi revealed: “I may continue with Rojer for a longer period. This year I’m committed to Rojer and if we produce good results, I may not consider the possibility of reuniting with Bopanna.”

At the Olympics, Qureshi will be playing alongside countryman Aqeel Khan. “My rankings at World doubles of No. 9 can help us qualify for Olympics. I have asked Aqeel to compete in more events to lift his rankings. That would help us in qualifying for Olympics, which would be the first ever Pakistani participation in tennis,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, after making history by becoming the first Pakistani player to reach an Australian Open quarter final when he got through to the last eight of the mixed doubles with Andrea Hlavackova of Czech Republic, Qureshi hinted he might form a high profile partnership with India’s Sania Mirza at future majors.

“I might team up with her in the future. She is also ranked in doubles top 10 and if she maintains her ranking, then a strong team could be formed with her,” he added.

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