Thaindian News

Karachi, June 4 (IANS) Pakistan’s Aisamul Haq Qureshi, doubles partner of Indian Rohan Bopanna, attributed their French Open quarterfinals loss to the Bryan brothers to lack of mental toughness but said the result will give them confidence going into Wimbledon, beginning June 20.

The Indo-Pak Express as they are called, the pair lost to World No.1 Bob and Mike Bryan 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) Wednesday night in a match spread over two days, ending their campaign with the best ever show in Paris. The duo reached the second round last year.

“Looking back at the quarter-final, we should have done a few things differently,” Qureshi was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune Saturday.

“Clay is not our favourite surface but we got used to it this year and if we look at our performances in the first three rounds, we won our matches convincingly,” Qureshi said.

“I feel that we broke down in the middle after winning the first set. And by the time we got our focus back, it was too late. We missed a few crucial points and that proved our downfall. I wish we were mentally stronger than them. We defeated them last year, so it’s not like we are less capable than them.”

The 31-year-old, however, said that he has only positives to take from Paris.

“We are taking one step at a time. We will do better at the French Open next year. However, climbing two places in the ATP doubles rankings before Wimbledon is a huge achievement. It has given us more confidence which we badly needed.”

Bopanna-Qureshi will now practice in Germany on grass courts for a week before heading to England for the third Grand Slam of the year.