Mumbai: Prakash Amritraj cameback splendidly to turn the tables on Pakistan's Aqeel Khan in three sets and help India end the opening day of the Asia-Oceania Zone One Davis Cup play-off tie on level terms at Mumbai on Tuesday.
Earlier compatriot Rohan Bopanna went down tamely to Aisam Quereshi in the first singles.
India's No. 1 player Amritraj displayed excellent fighting spirit to come back from 1-4 down in the first two sets against the baseline-hugging Pakistan No. 2 Khan before raising his game up a notch in the third to record a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 victory 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Earlier, a pumped up Pakistan No. 1 Qureshi outclassed Indian No 2 Bopanna, who dished out an insipid and error-prone display, in straight sets to give the visitors a flying start in the sixth-ever clash between the arch-rivals.
Qureshi, ranked number 416 in the world, subdued his doubles partner and friend on the Tour Bopanna, ranked 235, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 6-4 in two minutes under two hours in the opening singles.
Bopanna committed 19 double faults, some of them at crucial stages, to give the match on a platter to his big-serving Pakistani rival.
The doubles encounter between India's combine of captain Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi against Jalil Khan and Asim Shafik would be held on Saturday.
The reverse singles featuring Amritraj against Qureshi and Bopanna versus Aqeel Khan is scheduled for Sunday.
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