KULSUM ITF FUTURES TENNIS Pakistan pair moves into final

ISLAMABAD: Aqeel Khan and Shahzad Khan will have another go at the doubles title as the Pakistani pair yet again made it to the final beating a combination of Russian and Turkish pair in the Begum Kulsum ITF Futures Tennis semi-finals here at the PTF Complex Courts Saturday.

Two top players — Russian Ivan Nedelko (Russia) and Enrique Lopez-Perez (Spain) — have set an interesting final in the men’s singles following their convincing straight set victories in the semi-finals.

Aqeel and Shahzad’s dream run continued in the doubles as for the second time in succession the pair made it to the final this time beating a young pair of Ergi Kirkin (Turkey) and Nikolay Vylegzhann (Russia) 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the pre-final at the Centre Court.

Both teenagers who are ranked amongst the top 100 on the ATP junior rankings fought well against experienced Pakistani pair. Aqeel and Shahzad were leading comfortably in the first set when Vylegzhann and Kirkin broke latter’s serve to close the gap at 5-4. The local pair then broke back, courtesy to some sizzling down the line and cross court shots.

The second set followed different pattern with score going to tie break. Vylegzhann and Kirkin were seen playing even better tennis than what they showed in the first. At 6-6, Aqeel and Shahzad used all their experience to get clear beating the teenage pair 7-3 in tie break.

“The younger pair played better tennis more than we were expecting from them. Definitely both have good future ahead of them,” Aqeel said after winning the match.

He also praised his coach Hameedul Haq for helping them in tight situation. “Hameed has been instrumental in making us to believe we can win the doubles. We proved that in the first Futures event and would Insha Allah do that in the second also,” Aqeel said.

Pakistan pair now has good chances of adding another title to their collection as they are pitted against less fancied Russian and Ukraine pair.

Top seed Russian Nedelko, the winner of first Futures singles title, checked into the final with an easy 6-1, 7-5 win over Frenchman Luke Povlovic in the semi-finals. The Russian was as usual brilliant with his forceful forehand shots that won him many points.

However, the Russian faces a tough challenge in the final as he would take on fast improving Spaniard Lopez-Perez. Lopez-Perez spared little time in disposing off left-hander Russian S Dzhanashya 6-3, 6-1 in the second semi-final of the day.

Lopez-Perez, who is now ranked among top 300 in the world, has already making waves internationally with some recent successes in Futures. Both men’s singles and doubles finals will be played today (Sunday).