Bopanna-Qureshi reach final of US Open doubles

Updated on: 09 September,2010 07:54 AM IST |
AFP |

Qureshi says he is lucky to have Bopanna as partner after duo reach US Open final

Qureshi says he is lucky to have Bopanna as partner after duo reach US Open final

Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna (right) celebrate their 7-6,
6-4 win over Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zaballos in the US Open
semi-finals yesterday. PIC/AFP

They beat Argentina's Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zaballos 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

"I want to thank Rohan for helping me," he said. "My partner has been great. I'm lucky to have him."

Bopanna praised Qureshi for recovering from his mixed doubles semi-final Tuesday night to be at full strength to oust the South American duo and book a showdown with the Bryan brothers Mike and Bob.

"All credit to him. He had all his energy up," Bopanna said. "It has been great to be friends on and off the court. I'm hoping I can help him take both titles back home and send some positive news to Pakistan.

"I'm really looking forward to the finals against the Bryans. To be the best you have to beat the best."

Qureshi has reached the US Open men's and mixed doubles finals and hopes to win both in tribute to the 21 million flood victims in his homeland.

Qureshi has already booked another title date. He and Czech partner Kveta Peschke have reached today's mixed doubles final.

"The only motivation I have for these two weeks is to get these titles for the people back home," Qureshi said. "I'm trying to send some positive news back home with the floods and everything."

A flooding crisis began six weeks ago in Pakistan, the deluge devastation adding to the misery in an area already home to 1.7 million long-term Afghan refugees who have fled fighting in their neighbouring country.u00a0

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