Muzammil upsets Aqeel to emerge Kulsum Tennis champ

ISLAMABAD: Muzammil Murtaza power-packed game surprised Pakistan No 1 Aqeel Khan on his way to title triumph in the men’s singles of 5th Kulsum Saifullah Tennis at the DA/PTF Complex Sunday.

In what turned out to be an exciting final, Muzammil repeated his Benazir Bhutto Tennis performance, beating experience Aqeel in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 to win the title.

In a final that was watched by a packed complex audience, Muzammil made early inroads with some sizzling serves and forehand shots to take 4-0 lead in the first set. Some long rallies and powerful tennis was witnessed from there on as Aqeel tried to regain ground.

From 5-1 deficit, he narrowed the gap at 5-4 courtesy to some breathtaking overhead smashes and backhand chips. However, the youngster stayed calm to take the first set at 6-4.

Unlike the first set, the second was a neck and neck battle with both managing to hold their ground. Some exciting rallies and powerful serves was the hallmark of the second. Aqeel got the opportunity to go for kill and had couple of chances to retain his serve at 5-5. After breaking Aqeel’s serve, Muzammil went on to hold his own following couple of hiccups to win the second set and title.

“During last few months I defeated Aqeel Khan thrice. This is my second successive win against Aqeel in the final of any ranking national. Only last month I beat him in the Benazir Bhutto final,” Muzammil said following his win against a player who virtually has been undisputed champion of local tennis since the turn of century.

“I should have won the first set at 6-1 but missed couple of easy chances which did not help my case,” he said. Aqeel praised Muzammil saying he played well and gave him little space. “These courts are fast for a player of my liking. Muzammil definitely played well and wrested the initiative,” he said.

Tarik Hamdy CEO Eighteen graced the occasion as chief guest, besides a large number of diplomats including Dr. Christian Turner (British High Commissioner) and his wife, Istvan Szabo and wife (Ambassador of Hungry) and diplomatic staff of the Swedish Embassy

The Saifullah family was represented by former Federal Ministers and parliamentarians Humayun Saifullah Khan and Anwer Saifullah Khan, senator Osman Saifullah Khan and his wife, as well as Asad Saifullah Khan.

Results: Men’s single (final): Muzammil Murtaza bt Aqeel Khan 6-4, 7-5

Men’s doubles (final): Aqeel Khan/Muzammil Murtaza bt M. Abid/Waqas Malik 4-6, 6-4,(10-8)

Women’s doubles final: Mahin Aftab/Ushna Suhail bt Sara Mansoor/Sarah Mahboob Khan 6-1,6-4.

Boys 18 and under (final): M Shoaib bt Subhan bin Salik: 5-7, 6-3, 6-1

Boys unde-14 singles (final): Bilal Asim bt Haider Ali Rizwan: 6-2, 6-3

Boys under-14 doubles (final): M. Huzaifa Khan /Hamid Israr bt Ahmed Nael/Bilal Asim: 4-1, 4-0

Boys/ girls under-12 (final): Hamza Roman bt Husnain Ali Rizwan 4-2, 3-5, 4-2.

Boys/ Girls under-10 (Final): Hamza Ali Rizwan bt M. Hassan Usmani: 4-0, 5-4 (2) Seniors 45 (final): Rashid Malik (ZTBL)/Hameedul Haq bt Israr Gul/Irfanullah: 4-6, -1(10-8).