Tennis
Mikaeel Ali Baig claims two crowns in ATF Under-14 Tennis
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: Mikaeel earned double crowns in Dushanbe by winning in both singles and doubles gold medals of the Somoni Open Under-14 Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) tennis tournament that concluded in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
According to an official of the Sindh Tennis Association (STA), Pakistan’s upcoming talented player Mikaeel Ali Baig gets two gold medals and becomes the singles and doubles champion.
In the singles match, Mikaeel had to face top South Korean player Siyun Kim, who he had lost just last week in a tight finals match. Once again, the two faced each other in a finals showdown. The thriller match started with Mikaeel very quickly gaining a strong lead and taking the first set at 6-3.
In the second set, however, Kim stepped up, changed his strategy and got the set from Mikaeel at 6-1. It all came down to the third set. Mikaeel was locked in and ready to take on the battle to the finish line. Kim was no match for Mikaeel’s aggressive game. The third set was over very fast as Mikaeel won at 6-0.
The duo partnership of Mikaeel (Pakistan) and Siyun Kim (South Korea), then had to face of opposing doubles team pair from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the final. The doubles match started off with both teams struggling to take the lead. The first set was tied at 6-6, but the opponents managed to grab the set from Mikaeel and Kim.
Meanwhile, in the second set, the dynamic pairing of Mikaeel and Kim fought back and won the set at 6-4, taking the match into a super tie-break. Mikaeel and Kim played the tie-break strong from the start and won at 10-4 to get their championship win.
TENNIS - ITF Juniors 01 Apr, 2023
Pakistan book berth in World Group, Japan beat Pakistan 2-1
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: Japan toiled hard on the court to overcome Pakistan 2-1 in the final of the ITF World Tennis Junior Team Competition Asia-Oceania Final Qualifying in Kuching Malaysia.
According to Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), in the first match, Abubakar Talha lost a closely fought match with the score-line of 3-6 and 5-7. In the second Singles, Hamza Roman exhibited top class game of tennis and ousted his challenger Motoharu Abe in straight sets in s single sided-affair at 6-2, 6-1 to square the match 1-1.
In the deciding doubles, which produced exciting tennis, Abubakar and Hamza won the first set 6-4 and were ahead in the second set at 4-3. Two see-saw games saw the Japanese produced a quality tennis to take the set. The Japanese pair stepped up a notch in the deciding match-tiebreak and won 10-5 to seal the victory and lift the trophy.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan had already qualified for the World Group by virtue of qualifying for the semi-finals. Under-14 team created history by reaching the World Group of the WJT team event, for the first time since 1996. It is a great achievement for the team, made up of Hamza Roman, Abubakar Talha, and Amir Mohammad Khan Mazari, ably led by Captain Heera Ashiq. Powerhouses like India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and others, failed to make it to the even the quarterfinals stage.
In 1996, Pakistan team visited Japan comprised Nomi Qamar, the late Ejaz Ahmed, Shahzeb Niazi, and Rashid Ahmed Malik as the captain. Sixteen countries participated, including Australia, Japan, S.Korea, India, Iran, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan. Pakistan finished second in their group after beating Iran and Indonesia, while losing to Japan.
Complete Results of Pakistan Matches:
Final (Japan beat Pakistan) 2-1
Kanta Watanabe beat Abubakar Talha 6-3, 7-5
Hamza Roman beat Motoharu Abe 6-1, 6-2
Motoharu Abe/Kensuke Kobayashi bt Abubakar Talha/Hamza Roman 4-6, 6-4, 10-5
Semifinal (Pakistan beat Hong Kong) 2-1
Abubakar Talha beat Wong Selwyn Tsz Yuen 6-3, 6-2
Tam Sin Hang beat Hamza Roman 6-1, 6-1
Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Fu Wang Choi / Tam Sin Hang 7-6 (5), 6-4
Quarterfinal (Pakistan beat Australia) 2-1
Abubakar Talha beat Taiki Takizawa 6-4, 3-0 (retd)
Kose Cooper beat Hamza Roman 6-2, 6-1
Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Kose Cooper/ Anthony Baker Nikolas 6-1, 6-4
Round-II (Pakistan beat Iran) 2-1
Abubakar Talha beat Sadeghizeidi Kiyarash 6-1, 7-5
Attaran Sam beat Hamza Roman 7-6 (5), 6-3
Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Attaran Sam / Madanian Soroosh 6-3, 7-5
Round-I (Pakistan beat Indonesia) 2-1
Abubakar Talha beat Mika Gunawan Joachim 6-3, 6-2
Hamza Roman beat Ali Da Costa Rafalentino 6-1, 7-6 (5)
Mika Gunawan Joachim / Verdasco Jeconia Rafa beat Amir Mohammad Khan Mazari / Abubakar Talha 5-7, 4-6.
TENNIS - ITF Juniors 31 Mar, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan outplayed Hong Kong 2-1 in the semifinal of the ongoing ITF World Tennis Junior Team Competition Asia / Oceania Final Qualifying in Kuching Malaysia.
According to an official Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Pakistan's Under-14 Junior team ousted Hong Kong 2-1 in the semifinal. Pakistan already qualified for the World Group after beating Australia in the quarterfinals, which will be held later this year in the Czech Republic.
Senator Salim Saifullah Khan President-PTF praised the performance of the young boys and congratulated the team, Captain, Coaches and their parents.
Results (semifinal):
Pakistan beat Hong Kong (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Wong Selwyn Tsz Yuen 6-3, 6-2
Tam Sin Hang beat Hamza Roman 6-1, 6-1
Doubles: Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Fu Wang Choi / Tam Sin Hang 7-6 (5), 6-4
Results (Quarterfinals):
Pakistan beat Australia (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Taiki Takizawa 6-4, 3-0 (retd)
Kose Cooper beat Hamza Roman 6-2, 6-1
Boys’ Doubles: Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Kose Cooper/ Anthony Baker Nikolas 6-1, 6-4
Pakistan beat Iran (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Sadeghizeidi Kiyarash 6-1, 7-5
Attaran Sam beat Hamza Roman 7-6 (5), 6-3
Boys’ Doubles: Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Attaran Sam / Madanian Soroosh 6-3, 7-5
Pakistan beat Indonesia (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Mika Gunawan Joachim 6-3, 6-2
Hamza Roman beat Ali Da Costa Rafalentino 6-1, 7-6 (5)
Boys’ Doubles: Mika Gunawan Joachim / Verdasco Jeconia Rafa beat Amir Mohammad Khan Mazari / Abubakar Talha 5-7, 4-6.
TENNIS - ITF Juniors 30 Mar, 2023
Green Shirts toppled Australian lads 2-1 in the quarterfinals
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan claimed an upset victory in the ITF World Tennis Junior Team Competition Asia / Oceania Final Qualifying after beating high-ranked Australia 2-1 at Kuching Malaysia.
According to an official of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Pakistan caused a major upset by beating a strong Australian team 2-1 in the quarter-finals and has qualified for the World Group Event, which will be held later this year in the Czech Republic.
Senator Salim Saifullah Khan President-PTF expressed his happiness and congratulated the team and captain for the historical victory against the strong Australian team. Earlier, in the other matches, Pakistan thrashed Iran and Indonesia in similar style 2-1.
Results (Quarterfinals):
Pakistan beat Australia (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Taiki Takizawa 6-4, 3-0 (retd)
Kose Cooper beat Hamza Roman 6-2, 6-1
Boys’ Doubles: Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Kose Cooper/ Anthony Baker Nikolas 6-1, 6-4
Pakistan beat Iran (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Sadeghizeidi Kiyarash 6-1, 7-5
Attaran Sam beat Hamza Roman 7-6 (5), 6-3
Boys’ Doubles: Abubakar Talha / Hamza Roman beat Attaran Sam / Madanian Soroosh 6-3, 7-5
Pakistan beat Indonesia (2-1)
Abubakar Talha beat Mika Gunawan Joachim 6-3, 6-2
Hamza Roman beat Ali Da Costa Rafalentino 6-1, 7-6 (5)
Boys’ Doubles: Mika Gunawan Joachim / Verdasco Jeconia Rafa beat Amir Mohammad Khan Mazari / Abubakar Talha 5-7, 4-6.
TENNIS - Local News 19 Mar, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: Hamza Asim overpowered Yawar Ali 2-1 in the Men’s Singles final of the ITC Open Tennis Championship that concluded here at Islamabad Tennis Complex (ITC) on Saturday. The final score-line was 6-3, 4-6, and 10-6.
In the men’s singles final, Hamza Asim and Yawer Ali showed their class and played an outstanding game. In the Super tie break Hamza Asim showed powerful forehand and changed the match in his favour. Hassan Baig Vice President of Islamabad Tennis Association along with other club members distributed the prizes among the winners and runner ups.
Results (Men’s Singles Semifinals):
Hamza Asim beat Zalan Khan 8-2
Yawar Ali beat Salar Khan 8-6
Final:
Hamza Asim beat Yawar Ali 6-3, 4-6 (10-6)
Men’s Doubles (Final):
Yawar Ali and Zalan beat Murtaza Khan and Amin Khan 6-3, 3-6, (10-7)
Ladies’ Singles (Final):
Marukh Sajid beat Lalarukh Sajid 8-4
Boys’ Under-18 (Final):
Mohammad Salar beat Haziq Asim 6-3, 5-7, (10-6)
Boys’ Under-14 (Final):
Haziq Asim beat Abdul Wasay 6-0, 6-3
Girls’ Under-18 (Semifinals):
Marukh beat Ayesha 8-4
Lalarukh beat Amara Khan 8-4
Final:
Marukh beat Lalarukh 8-2;
Girls’ Under-14 (Semifinals):
Lalarukh beat Aysha 8-4
Marukh beat Zara 8-1;
Final:
Lalarukh Sajid beat Marukh Sajid 8-3.
TENNIS - Local News 18 Mar, 2023
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: The ITC Open Tennis Championships started on Saturday, as over 80 players are participating in different categories here at Islamabad Tennis Complex (ITC) G-6.
Results (Men’s Singles Round-1):
Hamza Asim beat Hammad Ali 8-2; Petro beat Taimur Adil 8-2; Mustansir Ali beat Inam Qadir 8-4; Zalan beat Ali Akbar Ali Malik 8-2; Awais Iqbal beat Ali zain 8-2; Mohammad Salar beat Adnan Rasheed 8-4; Abdullah Shafaqat beat Haseeb Inayat 8-1; Yawar Ali beat Abdul Rehman 8-0
Quarterfinals:
Hamza Asim beat Petro 8-0; Zalan Khan beat Mustansir Ali 8-2; Mohammad Salar beat Awais Iqbal 8-2; Yawer Ali beat 8-3
Men’s Doubles (Quarterfinal):
Raja Asif & Sardar beat Faisal Khan & Asim sheikh 8-3; Kashif Khan and Khurram Baig beat Awais Ahmed and Mustafa 8-4; Zalan Khan and Yawer Ali beat Taimoor Adil and Akbar Ali 8-4; Murtaza Khan and Ameen Khan beat Raja Safdar and Saleem Abbassi 8-2;
Semifinal:
Yawar Ali and Zalan beat Raja Asif and Sardar Sami 8-2
Murtaza Khan and Amin Khan beat Kashif Khan and Khurram Baig 8-3;
Ladies’ Singles (Quarterfinal):
Shandana Rabi beat Ayesha Masood 8-1
Amara khan beat Dana Psenicova 8-2
Lalarukh Sajjid beat Zarmeena 8-2
Marrukh Sajjid beat Asma 8-4
Semifinals:
LalaRukh beat Shandana Rabi 8-2
Marrukh Sajjid beat Amara Khan 8-2
Boys’ Under-18 (Quarterfinals):
Mustansir Ali beat Hamza Asim 8-3
Mohammad Salar beat Abdul Wasay 8-2
Sameer Kiyani beat Ali Zain 8-0
Haziq Asim beat Inam Qadir 8-4
Boys’ Under-14 (Quarterfinals):
Ammar Masood beat Suleman Niazi 8-2
Sameer Maqsood beat Orhan Sohail 8-0
Abdul Wasay beat Awais Khan 8-3
Haziq Asim beat Ameen Khan 8-2;
Semifinal:
Haziq Hamza beat Ammar Khan 8-0
Abdul Wasay beat Sameer Maqsood 8-2;
Girls’ Under-18 (Quarterfinals):
Amara Khan beat Quratulain 8-2
Ayesha Masood beat Zara Shebaz 8-6
Marrukh Sajjid beat Yasmeen 8-1
Lalarukh Sajjid beat Amna Ali 8-3
Girls’ Under-14 (Quarterfinals):
Lalarukh Sajjid beat Shiza Khan 8-1
Ayesha Masood beat Noreen 8-3
Zara Shebaz beat Sonia 8-5
Marrukh Sajjid beat Ayesha 8-2
All Pakistan National Tournament: Aqeel, Shoaib declared joint winners
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Pakistani No 1 tennis player Aqeel Khan and Mohammad Shoaib emerged joint winners as the rain washed out the men’s singles final of All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament 2023 here at DeSOM Club.
Both Aqeel Khan and Mohammad Shoaib were committed to do well in the final to win the coveted trophy but due to continuous rain and wet courts, they were declared the joint winners of the prestigious event. Wapda’s Abubakar Talha (F.G School Lahore Cantt) and Ahtesham Humayun (Crescent School) were also named the joint winners of the U-16 category.
Aqeel takes on Mohammad Shoaib in National Invitational Tennis final
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Pakistan No 1 tennis players Aqeel Khan will take on Mohammad Shoaib in the men’s singles final of the All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament 2023 here at DeSOM Club on Friday.
In the men's singles semifinals, No 1 Aqeel Khan beat Mudassar Murtaza 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Aqeel started the match well and put Mudassar under pressure to win the first set 6-2. Mudassar bounced back in the second set and took it by 7-5. Aqeel once again showed his class and comfortably won the third set 6-1 and also earned a place in the final.
The second semifinal of the men’s singles saw Mohammad Shoaib playing well against Heera Ashiq and winning the encounter by 6-4, 6-3. Shoaib though faced tough resistance in the first set, yet he won it by 6-4 while he played comparatively better tennis in the second set, taking it 6-3 to set a title clash with Aqeel Khan.
In the boys U-16 semifinals, rising tennis star Wapda’s Abubakar Talha (F.G School Lahore Cantt) defeated spirited Hamza Roman by 1-6, 6-2, 6-4. The second semifinal of the U-16 category was won by another talented player Ahtesham Humayun (SICAS), who edged past Haider Ali Rizwan 7-6, 2-6, 6-2. All the finals will be played on Friday here at DeSOM Club.
National Tennis: Rizwan brothers, Abubakar jump into semifinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Rizwan brothers, Hussnain Ali Rizwan and Haider Ali Rizwan, Abubakar Talha, and Ahtesham Humayun qualified for the semifinals of the All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament here at DeSOM Club on Wednesday.
In the boys U-16 quarterfinals, Hussnain Ali Rizwan beat Hamza Roman 6-0, 6-4 while Haider Ali Rizwan beat Hamza Ali Rizwan 6-2, 6-3. In other quarterfinals, Abubakar Talha (F.G School Lahore Cantt) beat M Salaar 6-4, 6-4 while Ahtesham Humayun (Cresent) beat M Talha Khan 6-1, 6-1.
It is worth mentioning here that Hussnain Ali Rizwan, who is a former Asian U-14 No 2 ranked player and only Pakistani, selected in the ITF/ATF Grand Slam Player Development Program to Europe, where he had learned the modern techniques from the top ITF coaches alongside the world’s high ranked players. Now his fellows have progressing well in the ITF and ATF rankings due to their regular participation in the international circuit but due to lack of high-level sponsorship (especially from Bard Foundation), such talented players couldn’t win international laurels for Pakistan.
Same is the case with his elder brother, Haider Ali Rizwan, who was Asian U-16 ranked 1, and was doing well at ATF level, but he too couldn’t maintain his rankings due to less participation in the international events and here too, financial constraints were the major hurdles.
Meanwhile in the men’s singles quarterfinals, Pakistan No 1 player Aqeel Khan beat talented Abdullah Adnan 6-3, 6-0 while Mohammad Shoaib Khan beat Ahmad Nael Qureshi 5-7, 6-0, 6-2, Mudassar Murtaza beat Sami Zeb Khan 6-1, 7-6 and Yousaf Khalil beat Heera Ashiq 7-5, 7-5.
All Pakistan National Tennis: Aqeel, Shoaib reach quarterfinals
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Pakistan No 1 Aqeel Khan and Mohammad Shoaib were among the other top players, who advanced to the men’s singles quarterfinals of the All Pakistan National Invitational Tennis Tournament here at the DeSOM Club on Tuesday.
In the men’s single pre-quarterfinals, Aqeel Khan beat Shehzad Khan 6-4, 6-4, Mohammad Shoaib Khan beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-2, 6-0, Mudassar Murtaza beat Ahmad Babar 6-3, 6-3, Yousaf Khalil beat Ahtesham Humayun 6-1, 6-2, Heera Ashiq beat Mohammad Salaar 6-3, 6-2, Ahmad Nael Qureshi beat Imran Bhatti 6-3, 6-3, Semi Zeb Khan beat Hamid Israr 3-3(Retd), Abdullah Adnan beat Nalain Abbas 6-2, 6-2.
In the boys U-16 pre-quarterfinals, Mohammad Salaar beat Hafiz 6-0, 6-0, Husnain Ali Rizwan beat Abdullah Sajjad 6-1, 6-0, Hamza Roman beat Hanzla Anwar 6-0, 6-0, Mohammad Talha Khan beat Yousaf Manoo 6-1, 6-0, Hamza Ali Rizwan beat Arman Kamran 6-2, 6-1, Haider Ali Rizwan beat Aalay Husnain 6-2, 6-0, Ahtesham Humayun beat Abubakar Khalil 6-2, 6-0, Abubakar Talha beat Asad Zaman 6-1, 6-4.
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