Haniya lifts Istiqlol Cup in Tajikistan

ISLAMABAD: Ten-year-old Haniya Minhas (Pakistan) continued her good form and won the 14 & Under Istiqlol Cup Asian Tennis Federation tournament in Dushanbe (Tajikistan).

She outplayed third seed Anisa Yakhyaeva (Tajikistan) 6-0, 6-1 in straight sets in the final to win the title.

Top-seed Haniya was in great form throughout the tournament and won all her matches comfortably without losing a set.

Haniya then teamed up with Sumaya Tukhtaeva (Tajikistan) to win the doubles event as well, beating Saiyora Rajabalieva and Anisa Yakhyaeva (Tajikistan) 7-5, 6-4 in a hard-fought final.

PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan and the Executive Committee of PTF extended their felicitation to Haniya and her parents and said that it is a great honour for Pakistan and the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) that she has managed to win back-to-back titles on the ATF 14 & Under circuit.

With this win, Haniya moved up to No 18 on the ATF 14 and under rankings list.

Haniya’s triumph will prove to be an inspiration for other players especially young girls and serve as a motivating factor for upcoming players.