PAF beat Wapda to lift Inter-Dept Tennis Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) turned the tables on favourites Wapda to win the First Inter-Departmental Tennis Trophy here at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Monday.

PAF won both singles to take an assailable 2-0 lead with organizers deciding not to go ahead with the doubles. Mohammad Shoaib (PAF) yet again surprised aging Aqeel Khan in straight sets 7-5, 6-4 in the second singles to win the Trophy for the PAF. In a see-saw match that was competed with fierce aggression, both the players were seen taking the first set to 5-5 by holding their respective serves. During the crucial 11th game, Shoaib’s return-shots were exceptional. With some exciting cross-court and down-the-line shots he finally broke Aqeel and held on to his serve to take the first set. Aqeel tried his best to stay in the match in the second but was unable to unsettle Shoaib.

After breaking the first game of Aqeel, Shoaib continued to accelerate his pace at the outset of the second. Just one break was enough to give him the second set. The match lasted 2 hours 20 minutes. Earlier Yousaf Khalil of PAF had to exert little in disposing off Muhammad Abid from Wapda 6-2, 6-4.

During the last round of matches, SNGPL comfortably overcame Navy to win the bronze medal. A total of Rs300,000 was distributed amongst the winners, runners-up, and bronze medal winners.

President PTF Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi was present on the occasion whereas Senator Salim Saifullah Khan graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed the prizes amongst the winner and runner-ups. Aisam while speaking on the occasion said that this tournament has been introduced for the first time where top players of the country from various departments participated.

Saifullah during his speech lauded the efforts of Aisam by introducing this event for the first time. He also lauded the efforts of the organizers by conducting the event in a befitting manner. The former PTF president congratulated all the departments, especially PAF for winning the trophy.

Results: Final: PAF bt Wapda 2-0: Yousaf Khalil (PAF) bt Muhammad Abid (Wapda) 6-2, 6-4; Muhammad Shoaib (PAF) bt Aqeel Khan (Wapda) 7-5, 6-4. SNGPL bt NAVY (2-0): Ahmed Babar (SNGPL) bt Faizan Fayyaz Khan (Navy) 6-2, 6-3; Saqib Hayat (SNGPL) bt Asad Zaman (Navy) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.