Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan No. 1 Aqeel Khan completed a hat-trick of men’s singles titles when he defeated Muhammad Abid in the final of the 3rd Hassan Tariq Rahim (HTR) Masters Cup Tennis Tournament at Lahore Gymkhana Club here on Sunday. Aqeel received Rs.100,000 plus Rs.25,000 cash prize while runner-up Abid pocketed Rs.50,000. In the women’s singles final, Pakistan No.2 Sarah Mehboob Khan defeated Rida Khalid 7-5, 7-5. In the boys’ Under-18 final, Muzamil Murtaza outplayed Aman Attique Khan 6-4, 7-6 (2). Aqeel proved his dominance in the domestic tennis circuit as he thrashed Abid 6-1, 6-2. Abid was no match to perfect and powerful ground strokes of Aqeel and was at the receiving end throughout the contest. In the women’s singles final, Rida had her chances as she was two times up in both the sets. However, Sarah fought back strongly and through her aggressive game outplayed her rival. Sarah’s consistent and powerful play made Rida commit unforced errors. In the boys’ Under-18 final, Muzammil had better of Aman. Both players played aggressive and powerful tennis from the baseline. Both were involved in long rallies and at times came up with amazing ground strokes. But in the end, Muzammil downed his opponent.

At the prize distribution ceremony present were Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim, Mian Misbahur Rehman, Salman Siddiqque, Arif Saeed, Iqbal Z Ahmad, Aezaz Hussain, Ahmad Hussain, Shahid Riaz, Mrs Zulekha Nisar, Jamil Ahmed, Rashid Malik, Mrs Nadia Iftikhar and Mrs Mehr Hassan Rahim. At the end of prize distribution ceremony, Mian Misbah presented portrait of late Hassan Tariq Rahim to his father Khawaja Tariq on behalf of tennis club members.