Indo-Pak Express derails as Aisam snubs Bopanna

Adopting a once bitten twice shy approach, Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is reluctant to renew his partnership with India's Rohan Bopanna, who parted ways with him last year.

The Express Tribune reported that Aisam had turned down Bopanna's request insisting that his partnership with Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer is working well.

Bopanna, who parted ways with Aisam at the end of last year and paired up with Mahesh Bhupathi keeping the London Olympics in mind, approached Aisam for next season but the Pakistani seemed reluctant to resume the partnership even though he is still undecided.

"Bopanna is a friend and I love to play with him but right now I am concentrating on making it to the London Masters," Aisam said.

"Right now my priority is to make it back into the top-eight and Rojer is working equally hard with me. We've found our way and I don't think I would want to change that."

This year, Aisam has won tournaments in Halle and Estoril while also reaching the semi-finals of the US Open.

"It's always about the team first and I am able to meet all the goals with Rojer. Last year was tricky and I respected Bopanna's wish but for now I am concentrating on the job at hand. So far my coach thinks that I can achieve the desired results with Rojer so I am sticking to that."

They were called as the 'Indo-Pak Express' but since the split, Aisam has managed to keep his ranking in the top-15 doubles players.

Currently, he is 13th while Bopanna, who has been banned from representing India in the Davis Cup by the country's tennis federation, is 15th.

The highlight of Aisam and Bopanna's partnership was when the duo reached the US Open final in 2010 where it lost to Bryan brothers.

"I'm extremely clear about my goals and I know I am working towards making it to the top. Rojer and I had our struggles but we have improved as a team with every tournament so I have to think in terms of results."