Summary Pakistan tennis star Aisam-Ul-Haq and his Dutch partner won the Stockholm Open title.
STOCKHOLM (Agencies) - Top seeds Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer boosted their chance of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday as they captured their second title of the season. The Pakistani-Dutch duo defeated Swedes Jonas Bjorkman and Robert Lindstedt 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the Stockholm Open.
Aisam and Rojer started the week at seventh in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings, with the top eight teams set to qualify for the season finale in London next month. Aisam and Rojer are looking to qualify for the second year in a row.
"So many great champions have won this tournament,” said Aisam, who also lifted the trophy in 2011 with Rohan Bopanna. “I have to say I ve been lucky enough to win it twice. It was a great honour to play against Jonas. The club is unbelievable. I love Stockholm and it s just great to be back here and win this tournament. Our target was to do well here to qualify for the [Barclays ATP World Tour Finals] and I think after winning this, it looks pretty good."
The 41-year-old Bjorkman was contesting his first tournament in nearly five years this week as he came out of retirement in a bid to win the Stockholm title for the fourth time with as many partners. He had first reached the Stockholm final 19 years ago in 1994 and dropped to a 54-43 finals record.
Qureshi and Rojer won the title without dropping a set, breaking serve four times in the final as they prevailed in 63 minutes. They added to their success at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Miami in April.
"It was a great final,” said Rojer. “Very nice atmosphere and a beautiful court to play on. We both played a very good match today. It was very exciting to play against Jonas, of course. I thought my partner and I both played very well."
The 33-year-old Qureshi improved to a 9-10 finals record, while Rojer, 31, also picked up his ninth ATP World Tour title (9-11 record).
