Experienced Aqeel, young Muzammil clinch titles in style

Experience prevailed as country’s top player Aqeel Khan delighted the fraternity of the game by handing a straight defeat to his sibling and second seed Yasir Khan in the all-brothers final to retain the men’s singles title in the second Modern Club Founder Members Tennis Championship on Wednesday.

Playing on his home court Aqeel lived up to his billing while getting the better of his opponent 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in the best of five sets duel that lasted for two hours. The final was a repeat of last year.

The triumph also helped Aqeel to complete a double crown as he together with Yasir have earlier pocketed the men’s doubles title by prevailing over the pair of Abid Mushtaq and Usman Rafiq 6-4, 6-1.

This is the second national ranking title of the year for Aqeel after the success in Kulsoom Saifullah event at Islamabad earlier this year.

“I’m feeling comfortable with my fitness and will be looking forward to feature in the Governor’s Cup at Faisalabad and the CAS Khyber Cup,” Aqeel, 36, told Dawn after the final.

The 22-year-old Davis Cupper Yasir gave tough time to Aqeel and look to extend him by going 5-4 up in the first set when the latter broke his serve to drew level 5-all and hold the service to win 7-5.

Aqeel won the next two sets convincingly 6-2, 6-2 to win honours.

Earlier, top seed Muzammil Murtaza sent second seed Haris Irfanul Haq packing straight 6-2, 6-1 to land the under-18 singles title.

The under-16 title went to top seed Nouman Aftab who carved out a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory over second seed Amin Shafi in the final.

Giving a glimpse of yesteryears, veteran Davis Cupper and national coach Rashid Malik annexed the 35 singles title inflicting 6-4, 6-3 defeat on Asad Ali Bhagat in the title clash.

Bhagat brothers — Asad and Ali — landed the 35 plus doubles title when they defeat Kaleem Ghanchi and Imran Ahmed 7-5, 6-1 in the encounter.

Another veteran Davis Cupper Altaf Hussain pairing with Azheruddin clinched the 55 plus doubles crown brushing aside Karim Gul and Zafar Hasan 7-5, 6-3.

A jubilant Aqeel Khan received a winning purse of Rs100,000 and a trophy from the chief guest and president of Modern Club Dr Abdul Sattar Jaffer at prize distribution ceremony that followed the final.

Yasir earned runner-up purse of Rs 45,000 and a trophy.

Cash prizes amounting to half a million rupees were disbursed among players by the guest. The ceremony was attended among others by Abdul Razzaq Jaffer, former managing director of PIA Nasser Jaffer, Sindh Tennis Association (STA) president Khawaja Saeed Hai and administrator of the club former Olympian Abdul Waheed Khan.

Welcoming the guests, the 1960 Rome Olympic gold medallist, said Modern Club is the first institution of the country which has organised half-a-million rupees prize money event from its own resources and without seeking any sponsorship.

He said the club is proud to have produced a galaxy of players including Aqeel, Jalil and Yasir who have won laurels to the nation.

He paid tributes to founder members of the club for their vision of establishing it way back in1967 for healthy sporting activities instead of turning it into marriage hall.

He said discipline is the hallmark of the club as it produces good human beings in addition to good players.

Final results:

Men’s singles: Aqeel Khan bt Yasir Khan 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.

Under-18 singles: Muzammil Murtaza bt Haris Irfanul Haq 6-2, 6-1.

Under-16 singles: Nouman Aftab bt Amin Shafi 6-2, 6-3.

35 singles: Rashid Malik bt Asad Ali Bhagat 6-4, 6-3.

Men’s doubles: Aqeel Khan and Yasir Khan bt Abid Mushtaq and Usman Rafiq 6-4, 6-1.

35 plus doubles: Asad Ali Bhagat and Ali Bhagat bt Kaleem Ghanchi and Imran Ahmed 7-5, 6-1.

55 plus doubles: Altaf Hussain and Azheruddin bt Karim Gul and Zafar Hasan 7-5, 6-3.

(Source: Dawn News)