Aqeel Khan clinches CAS Khyber Open Tennis title for 18th times
Pakistan Tennis ace Aqeel Khan shines one more time as he seals 37th CAS Khyber Open Tennis title at PAF Officer Mess Tennis Courts, Peshawar.
Pakistan No. 1 Aqeel Khan won the championship for 12 consecutive years before taking the title for 18-times. Pakistan No. 1 also has the honor of being the first Pakistani who completed a half-century of playing the Davis Cup ties.
Aqeel Khan defeated Pakistan No. 2 Abid Rafiq. In the first set Aqeel did not allow his opponent to play freely as he outplayed his opponent in a one sided game by 6-1.There were faults services of Abid Rafiq, in the first set which nicely utilized by Aqeel Khan to his favor.
Aqeel played a mix game of volleys and strong baseline shorts with some superb ace service that fully exhausted Abid Rafiq. At one time Aqeel was leading by 3-0, 4-0, and 5-0 and 5-1 finished the set at 6-1 game and raced up victory in another at 6-0. Abid Rafiq tried his hard to come back into the game but he was failed.
Using his feet Aqeel so quickly in response over Abid’s smashes and got the points after points. After winning the first set Aqeel Khan well controlled the second set and gave no game to march into victory in the second set at 6-0.
In the Men’s doubles Aqeel Khan and Shahzad defeated Muhammad Abid and Usman Rafiq by 6-0 and 6-2. Both Aqeel Khan and Shahzad dominated the proceedings and did not give time to Muhammad Abid and Usman Rafiq to strike back.
In the senior doubles Israr and Jehanzeb defeated Irfan and Mehmood by 6-0 and 6-4. Both Irfan and Mehmood did some resistance in the second game otherwise, it was an easy sailing for international Israr and Jehanzeb to march into victory.
In the Under 10 category, Pakistan No. 1 Hamza Roman defeated Jamal Khan by 4-0 and 4-1. Hamza Roman, a promising player, hailing from Nawa Khali Peshawar, did not give much time to Jamal Khan to strike back.
In the Under-14 category, Sami Zeb defeated Uzair in a thrilling two sets battle, the score was 6-1 and 6-1. Sami Zeb upset Hamza Roman in the first semi-final, the score was 6-1 and 6-1 while Uzair recorded victory against Hasam in a thrilling three sets battle, the score was 7-6 (3), 6-7 and 6-2. Uzair faced tough resistance against Hasam in an hour and 30 minute battle.
In the Boys Under-18 singles top ranking player Muhammad Shoaib recorded victory against Aqib Khan in a thrilling three sets battle lasted for one hour, the score 6-1 and 6-1 before defeating Aqib Umar by 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3 and Muhammad Shoaib beat Huzaifa Abdul in the semi-final, the score was 6-3 and 6-3.
In the Ladies singles, Sara Mansoor defeated Esha Jawad by 6-1 and 6-0 in a one-sided affair. Before reaching to the final Sara defeated Nida by 6-0 and 6-0 and Esha recorded victory against Shimza Naz by 6-3 and 6-1.
At the end, the chief guest Air Commander Muhammad Qaiser Janjua along with President PTF graced the ceremony as chief guest and gave away trophies and cash prizes to the position holders.
