Muzammil stuns Aqeel to clinch tennis crown

ISLAMABAD: Muzammil Mu­r­taza surprised Pakistan No 1 Aqeel Khan to win the men’s singles title of the 5th Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Tournament here at the PTF Complex on Sunday.

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

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 set. 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 tournament. Only last month I beat him in the Benazir Bhutto event final,” Muzammil said.

“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.

Eighteen CEO Tarik Hamdy 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 singles 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: Mohammad 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 & Hameedul Haq bt Israr Gul & Irfanullah 4-6, -1(10-8).