Pakistan Open Tennis titles for Aqeel, Ushna

LAHORE: National champions Aqeel Khan and Ushna Suhail clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles of EBM Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2019 after defeating their respective opponents in the final played here at Punjab Tennis Academy Bagh-i-Jinnah courts on Friday.

In the men’s singles final, Aqeel Khan faced tough resistance from spirited Muzammil Murtaza before winning the title by 6-4, 6-4.

In the women’s singles final, the first and only world ranked female tennis player Ushna Suhail emerged as title winner by beating fighting Sara Mansoor in three sets. Ushna won the title decider by 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. M Abid and Waqas Malik beat Muzammil Murtaza and Mudassar Murtaza to grab men’s doubles singles title.

The under-18 title was won by Muhammad Shoaib who outpaced Parbat Kumar by 4-0 while M Shoaib and Usama Khan beat Hamid Israr and Asheesh Kumar to bag under-18 doubles title. Israr Ahmad thumped Mahateer Muhammad by 6-1, 6-1 to win the under-14 title. The under-14 girls title was clinched by Maha Syed who toppled Labika Durrab by 5-3, 4-2. The under-14 doubles title went to Huzaima Abdul Rehman and Mahateer Muhammad, who routed Bilal Asim and Shael Durrab by 6-3, 6-3.

In under-12 final, Hamza Roman defeated Asad Roman by 6-3, 6-2 for the title. Haniya Minhas continues her winning streak of finals, as she overcame spirited Ameer Mazari by 4-3, 4-2 for Under-10 title. It was double delight for Haniya overpowered Labika Durrab by 6-3, 6-3 to lift under-12 title as well. Emerging player of Pakistan tennis Eshal Sajjad completed a dozen gold medals in this year so far by clinching another gold medal in this event. The 35 plus doubles title was jointly shared by Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd’s Talha Waheed, Usama Waheed and the pair of Aqeel Khan and Rashid Malik (ZTBL). Khawaja Khurram and Asad Niaz lifted the seniors’ doubles 60 plus title after thrashing Brig Ghazanfar and M Babar 6-0, 6-0. Rashid Malik (and Fayyaz Khan won the 45 plus doubles title by beating Israr Gull (Police) and Ashir Khan.