New York:
The doubles team of Rohan Bopanna, from India, and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, from Pakistan, has made it to the finals of the US Open. The Indo-Pak Express spoke to NDTV's Sarah Jacob about their ride to the top.
(Read: Bopanna-Qureshi in US Open final)Here's the complete transcript of the interview:
NDTV: Congratulations on a huge victory. There were a few nail biting moments in that tight first set. Was that just the nerves of this being your first grand slam semi final?
Bopanna: It was a big moment for us, but credit to the Argentinean boys who played really well. It was not easy out there, with conditions so windy still we managed to stay calm and positive and come through that one. (
See Pics: An exemplary Indo-Pak pair)
NDTV: What was the game plan?
Qureshi: Our game plan was to just stick to our guns and stick to our strengths - and we always wanted to keep the points short. Both of them are very good singles' players, and very good from the baseline. We just wanted to take the baseline game away from them and try to attack more at the net and just take our chances. The first set was pretty tough; all four players were plying high-percentage tennis. And as Rohan mentioned, the conditions were very windy and it was not easy to return the ball, but I think we handled the pressure really well for playing our first semi-final of a Grand Slam. We kept our nerves and we served really well, especially when we needed our second serve to back us up. Same with volleys as well. Also, there was Rohan's unbelievable shot on the deuce point in the second set. It's just about self-belief and to have belief in each other, and I think that's the reason we have been able to come to the semis.
(Wish the duo)NDTV: And now you are going up against the world's best duo - the Bryan brothers - but that doesn't bother you because you've just beaten them recently in Washington - so you know how to get the better of them, right?
Bopanna: Well, at least it gives us confidence coming here and playing them. As we always said we have to beat the best to win a Slam and they are the best team out there right now. We are really ready for Friday and are looking forward to win the title.
NDTV: So if by chance they underestimate you that could be your biggest advantage?
Qureshi: No, I don't think anyone is underestimating us anymore, specially the Bryan Brothers, because in the entire season, we are the only team to have beaten him or her. They won in Cincinnati, Toronto, they won in LA also and we were the only team who actually beat them in Washington. So I am sure they are going to be ready for us and not take us lightly. I think it's an even match-up. This summer and this year, we have a 1-1 record against them and so Inshallah, we are going do to our level best to make it 2-1. I am very proud and happy that we have been able to come such a long way and establish ourselves as a doubles team. We are really looking forward to Friday. Inshallah, we can get our first title together. It will be the icing on the cake to get the title with my best friend on the tour - and on Eid, which will be on Saturday here in US, and on Friday in Pakistan. I feel that it's an unbelievable journey right now we are on, and I just hope that this Indo-Pak Express keeps on rolling forward. We have support from India and have support from Pakistan. I feel that half the world is supporting us and so far, I think that God is listening to their prayers for sure.
NDTV: So you guys say that you know each other so well and each other's game but in a few weeks you will be facing each other in the Commonwealth Games. Then how does it work because you guys know each other's game so well?
Bopanna: (Laughing) Yeah, that's what we were just talking about. Hopefully we don't come up in the same draw before the finals. It is always tough to play against a friend - somebody who I know so well and have been playing on the tour with. So I am hoping we both are on different halves at the Commonwealth Games.
Qureshi: It is going to be very tough. Obviously there I would be representing my country and we both understand that. I am sure he is going to go all out to get a win for India, and I am going to go all out to get a win for Pakistan. I hope we are not in the same draw and I end up playing Somdev, and not him. But you know, that's part of being a tennis player and we both understand that. I don't think that it's going to bring any differences between us now or later in our career.
NDTV: Aisam you're also in also in the final of the mixed doubles event so a real dream US Open for you. This must mean a lot to the people of Pakistan given everything they have to deal with - floods, terrorism, and match fixing?
Qureshi: That has been my motivation for the past two weeks - to send some good news back home and both Rohan and my mixed doubles partner Květa Peschke have been unbelievable in the past two weeks. Rohan has been so great for the whole year (Rohan laughs). I feel very lucky to have partners like them. They don't realize how big they are in Pakistan because every time my name comes in the papers his name comes up too. He is as big as I am. Everybody is very ecstatic and proud and they are cheering for us.
NDTV: Finally, you're also Ambassadors of Peace with the Peace & Sport Foundation...did you see lots of Indian and Pakistani fans cheering (both laugh) for you as one here in New York as well.... How does that make you feel?
Qureshi: I honestly can't tell who is Indian and who is Pakistani when they are sitting in the stands. I think that is the beautiful thing about our partnership - that we bring so many people together. You can't tell the differences. It just makes the crowd bigger.
Half the world is behind us and supporting us and praying for us. It is a great feeling.
Bopanna: For people who don't know us I don't think they can tell which one of us is Pakistani and which one is Indian. It is great to have people from two different countries come cheer for us. I don't think you see that anywhere. As Aisam says to have all of them come out and support us is great. I hope we will have a great crowd supporting us in the final on Friday.
NDTV: On behalf of the entire subcontinent, NDTV wishes you all the best. You have already made us very proud. Thank you.