Aqeel, Ushna bag Nayza tennis titles

LAHORE: Double delight for Pakistan’s long serving No 1 player Aqeel Khan as he won men’s singles and doubles titles while Ushna Suhail scored double hat-trick of national titles by winning the Nayza All-Pakistan National Tennis Championship 2017 here at the PLTA tennis courts on Saturday.

In the men’s singles final, Aqeel Khan outlasted M Abid by 6-4, 6-2. Both the players amused the spectators with their superb tennis skills and also gave tough time to each other. But it was veteran Aqeel Khan’s wide experience which helped him down the youngster Abid to win the title. Aqeel faced tough resistance from Abid in the first set to take it 6-4 but in the second set, he played aggressive game and didn’t allow his opponent freely and won the set 6-2, thus added yet another crown in his already decorated feather.

In the ladies singles final, second seed Ushna of ZTBL proved too hot for top seed Sara Mansoor and routed her by 6-1, 6-4. With this title victory, Ushna claimed sixth consecutive title of the year while she has also the honour of earning world ranking points. Ushna showed her dominance right from the start and took the first set 6-1 with utmost ease. Although she faced some resistance in the second set where she conceded 4 four points yet she won it 6-4 to claim the sixth national title.

In the men’s doubles final, the pair of Aqeel Khan and Shahzad Khan edged past the pair of M Abid and Usman Rafiq 6-0, 6-4 to clinch the title. The Under-18 boys’ singles title was won by M Shoaib of SNGPL who toppled M Umar of SNGPL 6-3, 6-3. The Under-14 boys’ singles title went to Asheesh Kumar of Lahore who beat Farman Shakeel 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 while Hamza Ruman clinched the Under-10 title by beating Hamayun Ehtesham by 6-4.

Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana graced the final as chief guest and distributed prizes and trophies among the winners in a colorful concluding ceremony. PLTA chairman Rao Iftikhar Ahmad, secretary Rashid Malik, chief referee Arif Qureshi, Rafum Group marketing manager Shahid Riaz, Col (r) Asif Dar and others were also present on the occasion.