Tennis
Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship starts in Lahore
Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE: The 10th Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2026 officially got underway on Sunday at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park, Lahore.The national-level championship is being organised by the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association with the objective of providing a competitive platform to emerging and established tennis players from across the country. The event is expected to witness exciting and highly competitive matches, featuring talented young players as well as experienced senior players competing in various age-group and senior categories.The championship holds special significance as it commemorates the services and contributions of the late Sheheryar Malik towards the promotion and development of tennis in Pakistan. Continuing this annual sporting tradition reflects the commitment of the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association to strengthening the country's tennis structure, encouraging young talent, and providing promising players with opportunities to showcase their abilities at the national level.The formal opening ceremony of the championship will be held on November 3, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park, Lahore. Dr. Asif Tufail, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Punjab, and Mr. Fazal-ur-Rehman, Member Planning and Development Board, Punjab, will grace the occasion as chief guests and formally inaugurate the championship.Meanwhile, the qualifying rounds of men’s singles took place on the opening day. In the men’s singles first qualifying round, Asad Ullah beat Abdul Wajid 6-2, Abdullah Zeeshan beat Nouman 6-4, Rayn Noor Malik beat Ahsan Razzaq 6-2, Aliyan Ali beat Abdullah Anjum 6-2, M Junaid beat M Aqib Omer 6-2, Aalay Husnain beat Arsam Saleem 6-0, Khurram Imtiaz beat Ahmad Khan 6-1, M Mohsin Hassan beat M Ibraheem 6-0, Omer Babar beat Dr. Idrees Leghari 6-2 and Ahmad Raza beat Usman 6-0.In the men’s singles second qualifying round, Asad Ullah beat Abdullah Zeeshan 6-1, Ibrahim Ahmad beat Rayn Noor Malik 6-1, M Waleed beat Mirza Taimoor 6-0, M Junaid beat Kashif Ansari 6-1, Haider Ahmad beat Aalay Hussain 6-4, Khurram Imtiaz beat Furqan Abid 6-0, Shamoon Jutt beat Arsalan Abid 6-0, Omer Babar beat Mohsin Hassan 6-3, M Shawal Azeem beat Atta Rabbi 7-5, Ismail Ahmad beat Haider Fareed 6-0, Mubeen Akram beat Faizan Haider 6-4 and Kamran Khan beat Hassan Kamran 6-4. In the men’s singles third round, Omer Babar beat Shahmoon Jutt 6-0, Ahmad Raza beat Ismail Ahmad 6-0, Kamran Khan beat Mubeen Akram 6-3, Asad Ullah beat Ibrahim Ahmad 6-0, M Waleed beat Aliyan Ali 6-3, Khurram Imtiaz beat Abubakar 6-3.
J-60 Junior World Tennis: Main Draw starts on November 2, 2026
Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: The main draw matches of the J-60 Bard Foundation Junior World Tennis Championships will kick off on Monday (November 2) at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.The championships feature a total of 58 players, including 36 boys and 22 girls, from 14 countries, Russia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belarus, Sweden and Pakistan.Results: Boys' Singles (Qualifying Final Round):Yupei Liang(CHN) bt Adnan Afzal (AUS) 6-0,6-1; Bo Han Yang (CHN) bt Moazzam Babar Khan(PAK) 6-1,6-0; Muhammad Shayan (PAK) w/o M.Umair Ali (CAN) ; Vukasin Pavlovic (SRB) w/o Udayjot Singh (IND) Main Draw matches will commence tomorrow, 2nd November 2026 at 10:00am
J-60 Junior World Tennis Championships: Qualifying Round starts in Islamabad
Islamabad (Sports Reporter): The Qualifying Round of the J-60 Bard Foundation Junior World Tennis Championships commenced today at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.A total of 58 players, comprising 36 boys and 22 girls, from 14 countries, include Russia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belarus, Sweden and Pakistan are participating in event.Results (Boys Qualifying 1st Round):Yupei Liang (CHN) bt Rohaan Samir (PAK) 6-0, 6-0Vukasin Pavlovic (SRB) w/o Nicolas Civantos (ESP)The final Qualifying Round will be Played tomorrow 1st November-2026.
Abubakar, Rubtsova clinch ITF J-30 Lahore singles and doubles crowns
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Abubakar Talha and Russia’s Varvara Rubtsova claimed the boys’ and girls’ U18 singles and doubles titles respectively as the ITF J-30 Lahore Ali Embroidery Mills International Junior Tennis Championship 2026 concluded at Aitchison College, marking the return of international junior tennis to the city after a gap of 25 years.In an all-Pakistan boys’ singles final, Abubakar overcame compatriot Hassan Usmani 7-6(7-5), 6-0, recovering from a closely contested opening set to dominate the second and secure the title. Hassan, meanwhile, reached his first international junior final, underlining the progress of Pakistan’s emerging tennis talent. Abubakar added the boys’ doubles trophy to his collection, partnering Hamza Roman to defeat Ahtesham Humayun and Amir Mazari 6-3, 6-2.Russia's Rubtsova secured the girls’ singles crown with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Stefaniila Vasilevskaia, completing an impressive campaign in Lahore. In the girls’ doubles final, Rubtsova completed the brace of titles as she, partnering with Evelina Dzepa, defeated Daixi Hu and Bismel Zia 6-0, 6-0.Ali Embroidery Mills Chief Executive Officer Tariq Zaman attended the concluding ceremony as chief guest. Among the distinguished guests were Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, former Punjab sports secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman, Col (R) Asif Dar, Aitchison College Director of Sports Sajjad Rasool, Haider Ismail from USA, Naseem Ahmed, and Said Hassan, along with players, officials and members of the tennis fraternity. (Sports Reporter)
Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III (B): Iran Girls lift title
Iran players overcome Green Shirts 2-0 in the final, Jorden claim third positionAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Iran overcame hosts Pakistan straight 2-0 in the championship match of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III (B) at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad on Saturday. The final was to start at 11.00 am, but a spell of rain in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad forced the match to be staged at 3:30 pm.The local tennis girls lost their matches 2-0, but both Pakistani girls struggled hard to give opponent a challenge and fought hard in their respective matches. Iranian players proved stronger on the day to secure the victory and to claim the championship title.The closing ceremony was graced by Syeda Amana Batool, Member of the National Assembly, as the chief guest, and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), attended as the guest of honour. Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General PTF, and Asma Khawar Khawaja, President of the Pakistan Women Tennis Association, were also present.Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, also visited the PTF Tennis Complex, where he met the Iranian team and witnessed the matches. Speaking on the occasion, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated the Iranian team on winning the championship and appreciated the Pakistan team for putting up a strong fight in the final.Results and Team Positions:Final: (Iran beat Pakistan 2–0):Yasaman Yazdani (Iran) beat Ushna Suhail (Pakistan) 6–3, 6–4.Meshkatolzahra Safi (Iran) beat Mahin Aftab Qureshi (Pakistan) 6–4, 6–4.3rd–4th Position (Jordan beat Maldives 2–0):Anna Abualhaj (Jordan) beat Nayara Usama Ali (Maldives) 7–6(4), 6–4.Noor Sayej (Jordan) beat Aishath Karin Saizan (Maldives) 6–3, 6–7(4), 6–0.5th–6th Position (Qatar beat Bhutan 2–0):Khadija Gassama (Qatar) beat Kinley Yangden (Bhutan) 6–3, 6–0.Hind Almudahka (Qatar) beat Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden (Bhutan) 4–6, 6–3, 6–0.7th–8th Position (Kuwait were awarded a walkover against Bahrain).
Pakistan and Iran set to meet Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III Final
Islamabad (Sports Reporter):Pakistan and Iran have qualified for the final of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III after securing victories in their respective group ties. The two teams will face each other tomorrow, Saturday, 24 October,2026 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.Pakistan secured their place in the final with a 2–1 victory over top seed Maldives in Group A, while Iran booked their spot with a convincing 3–0 win against Qatar in Group B.Pakistan’s experienced players delivered strong performances in the singles matches. Ushna Suhail defeated Keyara Usama 6–2, 6–3, while Mahin Aftab Qureshi produced an impressive display to overcome Aishath Karin Saizan 6–1, 6–0. In the doubles, Romaisa Malik and Hajra Sohail went down fighting against Aishath Karin Saizan and Nayara Usama Ali, losing 4–6, 4–6.Iran, meanwhile, demonstrated their strength against Qatar, winning all three matches. Yasaman Yazdani defeated Dana Khalifa 6–0, 6–0, while Kimia Sagheb Tehrani beat Mubaraka Al Naimi 6–2, 6–1. The Iranian doubles pairing of Meshkatolzahra Safi and Hana Soltani completed the clean sweep with a 6–2, 7–6(2) victory over Hind Almudahka and Khadija Gassama.The stage is now set for an exciting final between Pakistan and Iran, with both teams aiming to finish their campaign on a high note. Pakistan will look to capitalise on home-court advantage and the support of local fans, while Iran will be determined to challenge the hosts for the Group III title.Match ResultsGROUP-APakistan beat Maldives 2–1Ushna Suhail beat Keyara Usama 6-2, 6-3Mahin Aftab Qureshi beat Aishath Karin Saizan 6-1,6-0Romasia Malik / Hajra Sohail lost Aishath Karin Saizan / Nayara Usama Ali 4-6,4-6Bhutan beat Bahrain 2-1Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo lost Hajar Zaidan 1-6,3-6Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden beat Gharam Alkhayat 6-0,6-0Tandin Dorji / Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden beat Eman Alzaimoor / Hajar Zaidan 4-6,7-5 (13-11)GROUP-BIran beat Qatar 3-0Yasaman Yazdani beat Dana Khalifa 6-0,6-0Kimia Sagheb Tehrani beat Mubaraka Al Naimi 6-2,6-1Meshkatolzahra Safi / Hana Soltani beat Hind Almudahka / Khadija Gassama 6-2,7-6(2)Jordan beat Kuwait 2-1Anna Abualhaj beat Huda Aldabbous 6-0,6-0Noor Sayej beat Sumou Aldabbous 6-1,6-1Hajar Al Louzi / Rama Bagaeen lost Huda Aldabbous / Sumou Aldabbous 2-6,3-6
Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III: Pakistan overpower Bahrain 3–0
Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD: Hosts players posted a massive victory in their opening fixture of the Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Asia/Oceania Group III (B) 2026, after thrashing Bahrain 3–0 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday.The victory marks a historic milestone for Pakistan as the country hosts the prestigious international women’s team tennis competition for the first time, with the national team securing its first victory in the Billie Jean King Cup on home soil.Pakistan’s top players, Ushna Suhail and Mahin Aftab Qureshi, delivered commanding performances in the singles matches before joining forces to complete a convincing 3–0 victory in the doubles.Results (Day 1):Pakistan defeated Bahrain 3–0Singles: Ushna Suhail defeated Hajar Zaidan 6–0, 6–0.Singles: Mahin Aftab Qureshi defeated Gharam Alkhayat 6–0, 6–0.Doubles: Ushna Suhail / Mahin Aftab Qureshi defeated Eman Alzaimoor / Hajar Zaidan 6–1, 6–0.Maldives defeated Bhutan 3–0Singles: Keyara Usama Ali defeated Tandin Tsheyang Wangmo 6–1, 6–0.Singles: Aishath Karin Saizan defeated Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden 6–0, 6–1.Doubles: Keyara Usama Ali / Aishath Karin Saizan defeated Tandin Dorji / Kinley Yangden 6–1, 6–0.Iran defeated Kuwait 3–0Singles: Hana Soltani defeated Huda Aldabbous 6–2, 6–0.Singles: Kimia Sagheb Tehrani defeated Sumou Aldabbous 6–0, 6–0.Doubles: Meshkatolzahra Safi / Yasaman Yazdani defeated Huda Aldabbous / Sumou Aldabbous 6–0, 6–2.Jordan defeated Qatar 2–1Singles: Ana Abualhaj defeated Dana Khalifa 5–7, 6–4, 6–0.Singles: Noor Sayej defeated Mubaraka Al Naimi 7–5, 6–0.Double: Hinda Al Mudahka / Khadija Gassama bt Ana Abualhaj / Noor Sayej 6-3,6-4
Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III to start on October 21
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has given final touches to all arrangements to stage the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III at the PTF Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue here, as the foreign teams started to arrive in the capital city of the country.According to an official of PTF, the arrival of participating teams has commenced for the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III, scheduled to be held from 21 to 24 October 2026. This prestigious international women’s team tennis competition is being hosted in Pakistan for the first time in the tennis history of Pakistan.The team of Maldives arrived on Friday in Islamabad, the fixture will bring together women tennis players from across the region to compete at the international level. Besides, hosts Pakistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, and Qatar will participate in an international tennis showpiece.Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President -PTF, and Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General PTF, along with the PTF management, welcomed the participating delegations and expressed their pleasure at hosting the championship in Pakistan.Speaking on the occasion, the PTF officials highlighted that hosting this prestigious international competition reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to the development of tennis, particularly women’s tennis, while strengthening international sporting relations and providing Pakistani players with valuable opportunities to compete against international opponents on home soil.The Pakistan Tennis Federation is making comprehensive arrangements to welcome all participating teams, officials and delegates and to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the championship at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad. The hosting of the Billie Jean King Cup marks an important milestone for Pakistan tennis and demonstrates the country’s growing capacity to stage international tennis events.
W-15 Islamabad Championship: Cirotte & Yodpetch reach in final
Islamabad (faisal): Astrid Cirotte from France and Kamonwan Yodpetch from Thailand advanced into the final of the ongoing second leg of the W-15 Islamabad Junaid Family Foundation World Tennis Women’s Championships 2026 after beating their respective opponents in semifinals here the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex on Friday. The final will be played on Saturday at the same venue.In the first women’s singles semifinal, Astrid Cirotte defeated Ru Xi Wu from China in straight games 2-0 after displaying top quality tennis. The final score-line was 7-5, and 6-4. Meanwhile, in the second semifinal Kamonwan Yodpetch overcame Russian player Wozuko Mdlulwa. Owing to injury, Mdlulwa could not continue the match, as the scoreboard was showing the score 2-6, 7-5, and 4-2 (Retd).Women's Singles Semifinals:Astrid Cirotte (FRA) beat Ru Xi Wu (CHN) 7-5, 6-4Kamonwan Yodpetch (THA) beat Wozuko Mdlulwa (RSA) 2-6, 7-5, 4-2(Retd)Women's Doubles Semifinals:Kamonwan Yodpetch (THA) / Ru Xi Wu (CHN) beat Astrid Cirotte (FRA) / Sabastiani Leon (MEX) 6-1, 6-4Anastasiya Kuparev (GER) / Sevil Yuldasheva (UZB) w/o Wozuko Mdlulwa / Warona Mdlulwa (RSA)Finals: 17th October-2026Singles Final: 11:00amDoubles Final: 3:00pm
TENNIS - Wheelchair 15 Oct, 2026
Islamabad (faisal): Pakistan’s internationally recognised wheelchair tennis player and coach, Asif Gul Abbasi reached Japan to represent Pakistan at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, taking place from 18 to 24 October.Abbasi has built an impressive international career while overcoming the challenges associated with a physical disability. A former world top-100 player, he achieved a career-high International Tennis Federation (ITF) wheelchair tennis ranking of No. 82 in August 2018, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan in the sport.His achievements include three international ITF wheelchair tennis titles, four UK National Wheelchair Tennis Championships and two victories at the Play Your Way to Wimbledon wheelchair tennis event, in 2023 and 2025. He was also runner-up at the 2026 Play Your Way to Wimbledon National Championships.Abbasi has represented Pakistan at World Team Cup qualifying events in Turkey in 2022, Thailand in 2023 and Sri Lanka in 2024. Pakistan secured a bronze medal at the 2024 qualifying event in Sri Lanka. He also made history at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou by becoming the first Pakistani wheelchair tennis player to win a match at the competition.His latest appearance at the Asian Para Games represents another opportunity to raise Pakistan’s profile in international wheelchair tennis and demonstrate the potential of athletes with disabilities.“Representing Pakistan on the international stage is a matter of immense pride for me. Every time I compete, I carry the hopes of my country with me. My journey has involved many challenges, but my determination to represent Pakistan and inspire other people with disabilities has never changed,” Abbasi said.He added that his long-term ambition extends beyond competing internationally.“I want my journey to encourage young people with disabilities to believe in themselves and pursue sport. Pakistan has talented people who need opportunities, proper training and encouragement. If my experience can help another player begin their journey, that will be another meaningful achievement for me.”Post-Games activities in LahoreFollowing the Asian Para Games, Abbasi is expected to return to Lahore for a series of tennis development activities.He plans to participate in a tennis and padel collaboration with New Pak Surgical on 30 or 31 October, with the final date to be confirmed.He is also scheduled to compete in the National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Lahore on 1 November.During his visit, Abbasi intends to conduct wheelchair tennis coaching for local coaches, sharing his international experience, practical knowledge and coaching expertise to support the development of wheelchair tennis in Pakistan.A qualified tennis coach with extensive experience, Abbasi believes that developing local coaching capacity is essential to creating a stronger pathway for Pakistani wheelchair tennis players to compete internationally.His visit will therefore combine international competition with efforts to promote grassroots participation, coach education and greater awareness of disability sport.Abbasi’s journey highlights the importance of sporting opportunities, international exposure and sustained development programmes in helping Pakistani athletes with disabilities reach their potential.
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