Shoaib, Muzammil to vie for singles title

ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza will play for the men’s singles title in the 10th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis following their easy wins in the semi-finals here at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex courts Saturday.

Muzammil prevailed over Aqeel Khan 6-4, 4-1 (rtd). Aqeel got off to a brilliant start taking 4-1 lead at the outset of the first set, before losing his stamina.

Aqeel, who has already turned 45 and nearing his retirement age, was unable to continue going into the second set ultimately conceding the match.

Shoaib was seen playing a consistent game to beat Yousaf Khalil 6-4, 6-4 in the second semi-final. Despite all-out efforts from Khalil, he could not crack Shoaib’s defense losing in straight sets.

In the first ladies’ semi-final, Soha Ali edged out Noor Malik 7-6(5), 6-3 to qualify for the final while in the second, Amna Ali Qayum outplayed Meheq Khokhar 6-2, 6-4 to make it to the ladies singles final.

In the boys’ 18 and Under final, Abubakar Talha upset top seed Bilal Asim 6-4, 6-4, and won the 18 & under boys’ title. The men’s and women’s final will be played today (Sunday).

Results: Men’s singles semi-finals: Muhammad Shoaib bt Yousaf Khalil 6-4, 6-4; Muzammil Murtaza bt Aqeel Khan 6-4, 4-1 (retired).

Ladies’ singles semi-finals: Soha Ali bt Noor Malik 7-6(5), 6-3; Amna Ali Qayum bt Meheq Khokhar 6-2, 6-4

Men’s doubles final: Mohammad Shoaib/Muzammil Murtaza bt Barkatullah/Yousaf Khalil 6-2, 6-1.

Boys’ 18 and Under final: Abubakar Talha bt Bilal Asim 6-4, 6-4.

Boys’ 14 and Under semi-finals: Hassan Usmani bt Shayan Afridi 6-2, 7-5; Ruhab Faisal bt Junaid Khan 6-1, 6-1.

Boys’ 12 and Under semi-finals: Shayan Afridi bt Aayan 4-1, 4-1; Rashid Ali bt Ibraheem Gill 4-1, 5-3.