Aqeel annexes Sheheryar National Tennis title

LAHORE: Pakistan number one, Aqeel Khan maintained his supremacy in national tennis circuit when he beat Abid Khan in straight sets to win the Sheheryar Malik National Grass Court Tennis Championship 2018 at Bagh-e-Jinnah Tennis Courts on Saturday.

In a keenly-contested match Aqeel won by 6-3 and 6-4 score. The final was played in a very good sprit. Chief Guest of the final was Pakistan Tennis Federation President Saleem Saifullah while guest of honour was Marek Minkiewicz, CEO Metro Cash and Carry Pakistan. Punjab Lawn Tennis Association Chairman Rao Iftikhar, Secretary and Tournament Director Rashid Malik, Rai Zafar, Maj (retd) Adnan, Sid Siddique, Faheem Siddique, Muhammad Siddique, Arif Qureshi and lot of tennis players were also present to witness the exciting last day. Saleem Saifullah declared PLTA as the best PTF unit and gave number one unit trophy to Rao Iftikhar and Rashid Malik. The main final of the day between Aqeel and Abid proved to be a thriller. Aqeel’s long serving, cool, calm and steady exposure towards game kept him unbeaten. While Abid showed some aggression but couldn’t maintained his grip on the game and ultimately bowed out.

In men’s doubles, Aqeel Khan and Shahzad Khan beat Muhammad Abid and Usman Rafique by 6-3, 6-3 and won the title.

In U-18 Karachi boy Nouman Aftab beat Peshawar kid Saqib Umer by 6-1, 6-0 and won the U-18 National title.

In men’s senior 40 plus final Sid Siddique and Fayyaz Khan retired hurt against Talha Waheed and Maj (R) Adnan when the score was 3-0. Talha and Adnan thus won the title.

In men’s 50 plus ex-Davis Cupper and Top Player Rashid Malik along with his partner Israr Gul beat Rai Zafar and Dr Naveed Rizvi by 6-3, 6-3 and won the title. In men’s senior 60 plus, Asad Niaz and Khurram Kawaja beat Iftikhar Ahmed Rao and Rai Zarar by 6-4, 6-7, 10-5 in a very well contested final.

In U-14 Sami Zeb of Peshawar beat his own city player Hamid Israr by 6-1, 6-2 and won the title.

In U-12 final Hamid Israr beat Bilal Asim of Lahore by 8-6 and won the title and in under-10 Hamaza beat Abubaker Talha by 8-6 and won the title.