With United Nations ambassadors from their countries sitting side-by-side to cheer them on, Aisam and Bopanna beat Argentina's Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zaballos 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
"I always believed we would have to do well in the Grand Slams to get the message across," Aisam said. "Them coming to watch us here, it's a big step. They were very encouraging. They said what we are doing is a great thing.
"It just feels like us doing well on the bigger level is getting the message across throughout the world - if me and Rohan can get along so well there's no reason the Indians and Pakistanis can't get along with each other."
In a breakthrough on the court, they will face US top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in Friday's final. "I'm really looking forward to the finals against the Bryans," Bopanna said. "To be the best you have to beat the best."
The ambassadors will be back to watch and so will India and Pakistan fans, cheering together for once. And Aisam hopes he can change US perceptions regarding Pakistan and the Muslim faith. "Today was a small step toward (peace)," Qureshi said. "We always said sports can reach places where no religion or politics can reach. I think it's above all the religion and politics.
"Pakistan has been going through a lot from all the terrorist attacks and the flooding now for the last few months and the cricket scandal," Qureshi said. "I'm very happy and proud that I can send positive news back home.
"I just hope I keep winning matches for Pakistan and can get either one of these titles or both titles back home. That would be a great thing."
Friday, September 10, 2010
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The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
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For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
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