Pakistan’s rising tennis talent Abubakar Talha and Russia’s Varvara Rubtsova clinched the boys’ and girls’ singles titles respectively as the ITF Pakistan 3rd Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Juniors Tennis Championship 2026 (Leg-1) concluded at the PTF Tennis Complex on Monday. In a gripping boys’ singles final, Abubakar Talha outplayed compatriot Mikaeel Ali Baig in a thrilling three-set encounter, winning 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5 to lift the title and earn valuable 30 ITF junior ranking points.
The girls’ singles final, however, saw a dominant performance from Varvara Rubtsova of Russia, who defeated China’s Yijia Wang in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4, to secure the championship and also claim 30 ITF ranking points. The international junior event featured participation from 39 players, including 24 boys and 15 girls, representing 14 countries-Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, Russia, Poland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand-reflecting the growing stature of Pakistan on the global junior tennis circuit.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has announced that the Subh-e-Nau ITF Pakistan Junior International Tennis Championship 2026 (Leg-II) will commence from April 13 at the same venue.