Aqeel take singles, doubles title of Nayza All-Pakistan Tennis Championship
Double delight for Pakistan’s longest serving No 1 player Aqeel Khan as he won men’s singles and doubles titles while international ladies tennis player Ushna Suhail scored double hat-trick of national titles of the year 2017 in the Nayza All-Pakistan National Tennis Championship 2017 here at the PLTA tennis courts.
Aqeel Khan ousted No. 2 Muhammad Abid in straight sets by 6-4, 6-2 to win the final. Both the players amused the spectators with their superb tennis skills and also gave tough time to each other. But it was veteran Aqeel Khan’s wide experience which helped him down the youngster Abid to win the title. Abid gave tough resistance to Aqeel in the 1st set of the match but the veteran player was tough too tough Abid and Khan wins the 1st set by 6-4. In the 2nd set Aqeel didn’t allow Abid to get out of his shell and easily won the set and the match.
In Ladies final, top seeded Sara Masoor lost the match against Ushna Suhail of ZTBL by 6-1 and 6-4. With this title victory, Ushna claimed sixth consecutive title of the year while she also got the honor of earning world ranking points. Ushna displayed exceptional game and win the 1st set by losing just 1 point. In the 2nd set Sara showed some resistance but not good enough to beat Ushna. She lost the second set by 6-4 and also lost the match.
The duo of Aqeel and Shahzad also won the Men’s double competition after defeating the pair of Abid and Usman in straight sets by 6-0, 6-4. Under-18 boy’s single tittle was won byy M.Shoaib. He ousted M. Umar by 6-3, 6-3 in the final. Aseesh Kumar beats Farman Shakeel in a hard fought 3 set match. His winning score remains 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 while Hamza Ruman emerged Under-10 title winner after beating Hamayun Ehtesham by 6-4.
Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana graced the final as chief guest and distributed prizes and trophies among the winners in concluding ceremony. PLTA chairman Rao Iftikhar Ahmad, Secretary Rashid Malik, chief referee Arif Qureshi, Rafum Group marketing manager Shahid Riaz, Col (r) Asif Dar and others were also present on the occasion.
The Governor Punjab lauded the efforts of Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) for the promotion of tennis at grassroots level. He also appreciated sponsors Rafum Group for supporting this beautiful game and hoped more sponsors would contribute in promoting this game. “The PLTA has doing great work and focusing on youth by training and grooming them well. It is also the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to promote sports among youth and I assure all-out support to the PLTA for the promotion of tennis at grassroots level,” he added.
Following are the Final results:
Men's Singles - Final
| 1 | Aqeel Khan | def. | M. Abid | 6-4, 6-2 |
Women's Singles - Final
| 1 | Ushna Suhail | def. | Sara Mansoor | 6-1, 6-4 |
Men's Doubles - Final
| 1 | Aqeel Khan/Shahzad Khan | def. | M. Abid/Usman Rafiq | 6-0, 6-4 |
Boys Under 18 - Final
| 1 | M.Shoaib | def. | M. Umar | 6-3, 6-3 |
Boys Under 14 - Final
| 1 | Asheesh Kumar | def. | Farman Shakeel | 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 |
Boys Under 10 - Final
| 1 | Hamza Ruman | def. | Hamayun Ehtesham | 6-4 w/o |
