Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Seasoned campaigner and national champion Aqeel Khan yet again demonstrated his class when he overpowered Muzammil Murtaza to lift the men’s singles title in the Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championship that ended at the PTF Complex here Saturday. Ushna Suhail won the women’s singles title, Yousuf Khan clinched the junior Under-18 singles crown while Hasheesh Kumar became the boys Under-14 singles champion.

The final between Aqeel and Muzammil, an emerging player, was exciting as the former overcame the youngster’s challenge in a three-set match lasting an hour and 35 minutes. Starting off impressively, Muzammil won the first set 6-3 by breaking the fourth game of Aqeel. The scoreline showed 3-3 in the second set as both the players held their respective serves. Aqeel eventually pocketed the second set 6-3 breaking the eighth game of Muzammil at 40-15. A rejuvenated Aqeel, 37, was in full command in the final set and did not allow his opponent to settle with his powerful forehand, backhand drives as he grabbed the set 6-0 by breaking the first, third and fifth game of Muzammil. Aqeel received a cash prize of Rs45,000 along with a shield while runner-up Muzammil pocketed Rs26,000.

Meanwhile, second seed Ushna subdued third seed Sarah Mahboob 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 6-0 to win the women’s final. Shahzad Khan partnering Mohammad Usman Ejaz took the men’s doubles title beating the pair of Muzammil Murtaza and Mudassar Murtaza 4-6, 6-3, 10-5. Top seed Yousuf lived up to his billing as he overcame second Mohammad Shoaib 6-2, 7-5 in the junior Under-18 decider while in an astonishing result, unseeded Hasheesh Kumar took the boys Under-14 title defeating top seed Nalain Abbas 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Hamza Roman took the boys Under-10 title beating Jamal Shah 5-3, 3-5, 4-2 in the final. PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan was the chief guest and ex-senator Syed Dilawar Abbas, who is patron of the PTF, was the guest of honour on the occasion.

Published in Daily Times, November 13^th 2017.