Sports Bulletin

PTF nominates Gul Rehman only official for Davis Cup Tie By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 22, 2019):-President, Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Salim Saifullah Khan on Friday nominated Gul Rehman solitary official for upcoming Davis Cup Tennis Tie against traditional foes India. International Tennis Federation (ITF) has shifted this mega event from Pakistan to a neutral venue, as this will be played at Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan   In the backdrop of the decision of the Independent Tribunal of the ITF, UK, upholding the decision of the Davis Cup Committee, of November 2, 2019, on the appeal by the PTF challenging the Davis Cup Committee's decision, the senior players of the national team had decided not to play the tie against India at a neutral venue, due the unfair and high-handed behavior displayed by the Indian team to avoid coming to Islamabad despite the many other international teams and celebrities having visited during earlier weeks.  Respecting and supporting the stand of the senior players, yet obliged to participate in the Davis Cup, as a member of the ITF, the President of the PTF, Salim Saifullah Khan, directed the PTF to nominate three best juniors, and a couple of the best young transition players, with an eye on their potentially being top Pakistani players in the next 2 to 3 years, to select a 3 member team to play the tie, now to be held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, on 29 and 30 Nov, with both Pakistan and India being visiting nations, so Pakistan retaining the choice of Home Tie for the next time the 2 countries play one another.  President PTF and the Selection Committee picked up the 2 top juniors of the country and the best transition player to make the team.  Huzaifa Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Khan, and Yousaf Khan Khalil would be the part of national tennis team against India. While secretary PTF Gul Rehman will visit along with the team as manager.  The PTF President, while expressing serious disappointment on the behavior of the AITA, wished the best to the team of youngsters, advising them to make most of the experience without worrying about winning or losing to the top players India will be fielding.

SB Report (October 25, 2019) ISLAMABAD-The three-day ITF Worldwide Coaches Conference under the banner of BNP Paribas kicked off from Friday (today) Bangkok from 25th to 27th October, 2019. The Pakistani participants Rashid Malik Secretary Punjab Lawn Tennis Association and Hamid Niaz, National Coordinator of the Pakistan Juniors Tennis Initiative program (JTI) met with Haggerty President International Tennis Federation (ITF) at the ITF Coaches Conference.  The Other coaches from Pakistan attending this important annual event are Asim Shafik National Development Director PTF, Head Coach NTC, Sara Mansoor Fed Cup Captain, and Nouman ul Haq ITF Level-1 Certified Coach.

SB Report ISLAMABAD:-Top Seed Mert Aysegul (TUR) clinch the Girls Singles title by eliminating unseed Soo Ha Jang (KOR) in the Girls Singles final whereas second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) annexed the Boys Singles Title by beating 6th Seed Shoaib Khan (PAK) in straight sets at ITA-SNGPL ITF Pakistan World Junior Tennis Championships at PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Friday. In the Girls Singles event, top seed Aysegul (TUR) played outstanding tennis in the first set Ayesgul and won the first set at 6-1 breaking 3rd and 5th game. She was in excellent touch and forehand drives were watched to witness and her cross court shorts were could not return by opponent, Soo Ha Jang unable to adjust against the pace of powerful game of Aysegul. In the second set Ayesgul was in full command and build up the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game . Soo Ha Jang reduced the lead 3-4 by breaking 6th game of Aysegul. Mert Aysegul won the second set at 6-3 by breaking 9th game of Soo Ha Hang. She gain valuable 21 ITF ranking points by winning the title. The match lasted 1 hour 10 minutes and officiate by Husnain Mehmood. In Boys Singles final, second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) continue his winning streak and won the Boys Singles title. He build up the winning lead 4-0 by breaking 2nd and 4th game of the first set. Shoaib broke the 5th game of Huzaifa and reduce the lead 3-4. Huzaifa won the first set at 6-4 by holding his own serve. In the second set Shoaib Khan played very consistent game from the base line and took the lead 5-1 by breaking 3rd and 5th game of Huzaifa and won the second set at 6-3 and level the score one set all. In the final set Huzaifa changed the strategy and played more consistent powerful drive from the base line and build up the lead 4-0 by breaking 1st and 3rd game of Soahib and won the final set at 6-3 and it was his second consecutive title which is a new record in Pakistan. He got valuable 21 international ranking points. The match lasted 2 hours 15 minutes and Shahzad Akhtar Alvi ITF White Badge officiate the match. In the Boys Doubles final, Gunuk Kang (KOR) / KIM Min-Joon (KOR) beat Mohammad Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) 7-5, 6-2. In the Girls Doubles final, Ji Woo Chai (KOR) / Soo Ha Jang (KOR) beat Mahta Khanloo (IRI) / Meshkatolzahra Safi (IRI) 6-3 7-5. Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas Chairman Board SNGPL grace the occasion as chief guest, Tariq Mehmood Murtaza, President ITA, Ms. Amena Director General Pakistan Sports Board,  Kashif Ismail CEO Faiza Beauty, Mr. Amjad Ikram Mian General Secretary SNGPL Sports Cell, Col. Gul Reman, Secretary PTF, Mrs. Nighat Saeed Member Women Wing ITA, were also present at the Prize Distribution. Glittering shields were distributed among the winners and finalist of the Boys & Girls Singles and Doubles event. Results: Boy’s Singles Final: Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) beat Shaoib Khan(PAK) 6-4 3-6 6-3 Girls Singles Final: Aysegul Mert (TUR) beat Soo Ha Jang (KOR) 6-1, 6-3        Boys Doubles Final Gunuk Kang (KOR) / KIM Min-Joon (KOR) beat M.Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) 7-5, 6-2. Girls Doubles Final Ji Woo Chai (KOR) / Soo Ha Jang (KOR) beat Mahta Khanloo (IRI) / Meshkatolzahra Safi (IRI) 6-3 7-5.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD-The Second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) and 6th Seed Shoaib Khan (PAK) will face each other for the top honor in the Boy’s Singles final whereas defending Champion Aysegul Mert (TUR) will face Soo Ha Jang (KOR) in Girls Singles final after beating their respective opponents in straight sets matches of second leg of the ITF Pakistan Junior World Ranking Tennis Championships PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Thursday. Unseeded Soo Ha Jang (KOR) caused a major upset when she eliminated 3rd Seed Arina Valitova (RUS) in a well contested, well fought two sets match. In the first set, Arina Valitova built up the lead 3-1 by breaking 3rd game  of Soo Ha Jang (KOR) , she leveled the score 5-5 all by breaking 10th game of Arina and won the 1st set at 7-5 by breaking the last game of Arina at 0-40 in which Arina hitting one double fault. In the second set there was close contest and long rallies was witnessed during the set and secore went up to 4-4all and both the players hold their respective serve. Soo Ha once again played some fine down the line shorts and won the second set at 6-4 by breaking 10th game of Arina and moved into the Girls Singles final.  In the other semi final Aysegul Mert (TUR) was in excellent touch and eliminated her opponents in straight sets 6-4, 6-1. The final of Girls Singles between Top seed Aysegul Mert (TUR) and Soo Ha Jang (KOR) will be played tomorrow Friday 18th October 2019 at 2:30 PM. In the first semi final of Boys singles, the 6th Seed Shoaib Khan struggle hard to win his encounter against unseeded Gunuk Kang (KOR) in three sets match. Gunuk Kang won the first set at 6-4 by breaking 10th game of Shoaib Khan. In the second set both the players showed world class tennis and number of winners down the line and cross courts were seen by the spectators and score reached 4-4all in the second set as both players hold their respective serves, at 5-4 Gunuk caught set point and match point Shoaib not only save the match point but broke his game and level the score 5-5all and won the second set at 7-5 by breaking last game of Gunuk Kang. In the final set Shoaib Khan was in full command and did not allow his opponent to settle down and won the set at 6-1 by breaking 3rd and 5th game of Gunuk of Korea. The match lasted 2 hurs and officiate by Rashid Ali. Shoaib Khan will face Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) in the Boys Final  In the second semi final Huzaifa Abdul Rehman registered straight set win without any resistance at score of 6-1, 6-1 against Min-Joon KIM (KOR). The Boys Singles Final will be played tomorrow Friday 18th October 2019 at 10:45 AM  The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is pleased to inform that Mr. Salim Saifullah Khan President Pakistan Tennis Federation visited PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad today to witness the ITA-SNGPL ITF PAKISTAN JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS-2019 and especially the match between Shoaib Khan (PAK) and Gunuk KANG (KOR), which Shoaib won by exhibiting some excellent performance and was in full command of the match. The President also interacted with the foreign players, and their parents/coaches. The foreign players and their parents as usual showed great satisfaction with the conduct of the event and specially were full of appreciation for playing on the state of the art courts in such beautiful surroundings and environment. The players and coaches were also very impressed with the hospitality and friendly attitude of the Pakistanis. Results: Boys Singles Semi Finals: Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) beat Min-Joon KIM (KOR) 6-1, 6-1 Shoaib Khan (PAK) beat Gunuk Kang (KOR) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 Girls Singles Semi Finals: Aysegul Mert (TUR) beat Ji Woo Choi (KOR) 6-4, 6-1, Soo Ha Jang (KOR) beat Arina Valitova (RUS) 7-5, 6-4 Boys Doubles Semi Finals: Gunuk Kang (KOR) / Min-Joon KIM (KOR) beat Shoaib Khan (PAK) / Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) 2-6, 7-6(2) 10-7 Mohammad Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) beat Luca Emanuel Knese (GER) / Daniel Webb (GBR) 7-6(2), 6-3. Boys Doubles Finals: Gunuk Kang (KOR) / Min-Joon KIM (KOR) Vs Muhammad Nauman Aftab (PAK) / Saqib Hayat (PAK) Match stopped due to rain Girls Doubles Final: Ji Woo Chai (KOR) / Soo Ha Jang (KOR) Vs Mahta Khanloo (IRI) / Meshkatolzahra Safi (IRI)  

SB Report ISLAMABAD-A delegation of Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), comprising Mr. Salim Saifullah Khan, President PTF, Senator Dilawar Abbas Vice President Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and Tariq Murtaza, President Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA), will be visiting Bangalore, India, to attend the Annual General Meeting of ATF, which will be taken place at Bangalore, India, from November 29 to December 1, 2019. The President PTF, while commenting on the ATF AGM said, "Pakistan delegation is proceeding to India, because we feel that sports should be above the politics and in this spirit the Indian Davis Cup Tennis team should visit Islamabad for the Davis Cup Tie between Pakistan and India at the end November 2019.The Indian team would be provided all possible hospitality and security during the visit. The security arrangements of PTF have already been approved by ITF requirements. We have already hosted several Davis Cup teams during the past two years and the arrangements were highly appreciated by ITF Officials who visited Islamabad supervising the ties, " he maintained. It is pertinent to mention here that the current visit of the members of Royal family of United Kingdom and this clearly signified that the security situation in the country is of high standard. 

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD-A major upset was caused by 5th Seed Shoaib Khan (PAK) when he eliminated top seed Daniel Webb (GBR) in a thrilling and exciting 1st quarterfinal of the ITF Pakistan Junior World Ranking Tennis Championships at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Wednesday. In the Boys Singles fixture, 5th Seed Shoaib Khan (PAK) caused a major upset of the tournament when he eliminated top seed Daniel Webb (GBR) in a thrilling three hours and 15 minutes match. Both the players displayed quality tennis and was appreciated by the large number of crowd. The score went up to 5-5 all in the first set Daniel Webb won the first set at 7-5 by breaking 12th game of 1st set after three deuce. In the second set Shoaib Khan build up the winning lead 3-1 by breaking 3rd game of Daniel in which he made two double fault. Daniel start attacking and build up the lead 5-3 by breaking 6th and 8th game of Shoaib Khan. Pakistani player level the score 5-5all by breaking 9th game of Daniel Webb and second set was decided in tie break which won by Shoaib Khan at 7-4 after down 2-4 in the tie break. Shoaib Khan was in full command in the final set and did not allow his opponent to settle down with his powerful forehand and backhand drives and won the final set at 6-1 by breaking 3rd, 5th and 7th game of Daniel Webb and advanced into the Semi final Later on, the 2nd Seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) won his encounter against 8th seed of Ahmed Kamil of Pakistan in straight sets 6-4 6-2.  3rd Seed Kim Min-Joon (KOR) proved too good for Saqib Hayat (PAK) and eliminated in straight sets 6-3 6-2 and will face Huzaifa Abdul Rehman in second semi final. In the last quarter final Kang Gunuk (KOR) was in also excellent form and eliminated Muhammad Nauman Aftab of Pakistan without too much resistance at score of 6-1, 6-1 and will face Shoaib Khan (PAK) in the first semi final. In the girls singles event, Aysegul Mert (TUR), Choi Ji-Woo (KOR), Valitova Arina (RUS) and unseeded Jang Soo Ha (KOR) advanced into the semi final by eliminating their respective opponents in straight sets. Aysegul Mert will face Chio Ji-Woo (KOR) while Valitova Arina (RUS) will face Jang Soo Ha (KOR) in the 2nd semi final. Results: Boys Singles Quarter Finals: Shoaib Khan (PAK) beat Daniel Webb (GBR) 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-1; Kang Gunuk (KOR) beat M.Nouman Aftab (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Min-Joon KIM (KOR) beat Saqib Hayat (PAK) 6-3, 6-2; Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) beat Kamil Ahmed (PAK) 6-4, 6-2. Girls Singles Quarter Finals: Aysegul Mert (TUR) beat Cheraghi Dorsa (IRI) 6-2, 6-3; Choi Ji-Woo (KOR) beat Thouard Clemence (FRA) 6-1, 6-2; Valitova Arina (RUS) beat Khanloo Mahta (IRI) 6-0, 6-1; Jang Soo Ha (KOR) beat Elmas Leyla Nilufer (TUR) 6-2, 6-2. Boys Doubles Quarter Final: Ksese Luca Emanuel (GER) / Daniel Webb (GBR) beat Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) / Tootoonchi Moghadam (IRI) 7-5, 7-6(3); Girls Doubles Quarter Final: Cheraghi Dorsa (IRI) / Shen Hannah Kaile (HKG) beat Abas Aliya (MDA) / Thouard Clemence (FRA) 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. Girls Doubles Semi Final: Khanloo Mahta (IRI) / Safi Meshkatolzahra (IRI) beat Aysegul Mert (TUR) / Elmas Leyla Nilufer (TUR) 6-3, 2-6, 10-3; Choi Ji-Woo (KOR) / Jang Soo Ha (KOR) beat Cheraghi Dorsa (IRI) / Shen Hannah Kaile (HKG) 6-4, 6-1.  

Our Sports Reporter ISLAMABAD-Salim Saifullah Khan, President Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) visited PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad today to witness the Junior Tennis Initiative Program where student from Schools participated in the training under the JTI National Coordinator Hamid Niaz, NDD PTF/Head coach of NTC Asim Shafik, NTC Assistant coach Azim Khan and Regional JTI Coordinator Masood Abbasi. He interacted with the students undergoing the JTI introductory training session. The students also took photographs with the President PTF, who appreciated their interest in the game of Tennis which is very essential besides generating healthy activities but also building of character and leadership traits of the students. The President also witnessed some matches being played at the ITA-SNGPL ITF PAKISTAN JUNIOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS-2019 and interacted with the foreign players and their parents/coaches. The foreign players and their parents showed great satisfaction on the conduct of the event and also the state of the art courts. They said that they have been extended all possible hospitability by the Pakistanis and they feel at home.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD-As many as sixteen matches have been decided on the second of second leg of the ITF Pakistan Junior World Ranking Tennis Championships, as close contests were seen on the synthetic surface of Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Tuesday. A major upset was made in the Girls Singles event when 2nd Seed Safi Meshkatolzahra was eliminated by unseeded talented Jang Soo Ha (KOR) in two straight sets match 6-3, 6-1.  Jang Soo-Ha (KOR) is a daughter of Pakistan National belongs to KP. Another thrilling match of the day was played between Thouard Clemence (FRA) and Mahin Qureshi (PAK) which was won Thouard Clemence (FRA) in exciting two sets match 7-6(3), 7-6(3). Whereas Top seed Aysegul Mert (TUR), 3rd Seed Valitova Arina (RUS), 4th Seed Choi Ji-Woo (KOR)  moved into the quarter final in straight set match. In the Boys Singles, unseeded Kang Gunuk (KOR) caused a major set when he eliminated 4th Seed Knese Luca Mmanuel (GER) in straight set match 6-0, 7-6(4), Top seed Webb Daniel (GBR), 2nd Seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK), 3rd Seed Min-Joon KIM (KOR), 5th Seed Nouman Aftab (PAK), 6thSeed Shoaib Khan (PAK), 7th Seed  Saqib Hayat (PAK) and 8th seed Kamil Ahmed (PAK) advanced into Quarter finals by beating their respective opponents in one sided affairs.  Shoaib Khan (PAK) comfortably breeze in to quarter final by beating the last week finalist of ITF Pakistan Kim Dong Hwan (KOR) 6-0, 6-4. Shoaib Khan (PAK) will face top Seed Daniel Webb (GBR) in 1st Quarter Final, second seed Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) will face Ahmed Kamil (PAK). Results: Boy’s Singles (2nd Round) Webb Daniel (GBR) beat Lai Yu-Shun (TPE) 6-4, 6-2; Shaoib Khan (PAK) beat Kim Dong Hwan (KOR) 6-0, 6-4; Kang Gunuk (KOR) beat Knese Luca Mmanuel (GER) 6-0, 7-6(4); M. Nouman Aftab (PAK) beat Giri Aryan (NEP) 7-5, 6-2; Saqib Hayat (PAK) beat Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) 6-4, 6-3; Kim Min-Joon (KOR) beat Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) 6-0, 6-0; Ahmed Kamil (PAK) beat Lu Chen Yu (TPE) 6-4, 6-1. Girls Singles (1st Round) Aysegul Mert (TUR) beat Abbas Aliya (MDA) 6-0, 6-2; Cheraghi Dorsa (IRI) beat Asim Zoha 6-2, 6-2; Choi Ji-Woo (KOR) beat Shen Hannah Kaile (HKG) 6-1, 7-6(3);  Thouard Clemence (FRA) beat Mahin Qureshi (PAK) 7-6(3), 7-6(3); Khanloo Mahta (IRI) beat Jawad Imsha (PAK) 6-0, 6-0; Valitova Arina (RUS) beat Sazanova Asima (KAZ) 6-4, 6-2; Elmas Leyla Nilufer (TUR) beat Shima Durab (PAK) 6-1, 6-2; Jang Soo Ha (KOR) beat Safi Meshkatolzahra (IRI) 6-3, 6-1. Boy’s Doubles (1st Round) Zalan Khan (PAK) / Dong Hwan KIM (KOR) beat Abdullah Khan (PAK) / Ibrahim Khan (PAK) 6-3, 6-1 Lai Yu-Shun (TPE) / LU Chen-Yu (TPE) beat Osama Khan (PAK) / Ahmed Nael (PAK) 6-0 6-1; Boy’s Doubles (Quarter Final) Shoaib Khan (PAK) / Huzaifa Abdul Rehman (PAK) beat Yu-Shun Lai (TPE) / Chen Yu-Lu (TPE) 6-1, 6-3 Saqib Hayat (PAK) / M.Nauman Aftab (PAK) beat Ahmed Kamil (PAK) / Subhan Bin Salik (PAK) 7-6(1) 6-4 Doubles (Quarter Finals) Aysegul Mert (TUR) / Leyla Nilufer Elmas (TUR) beat Zoha Asim (PAK) / Asima Sazanova (KAZ) 6-0, 6-0

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:- As many as 12 matches were played on the opening day of second leg of the ITF Pakistan Junior World Ranking Tennis Championships and all the seeded players moved into the second round by beating their respective opponents in straight sets at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Monday. Double draw of Boys & Girls were also took place in presence of players at Referee office. Defending champion Shoaib Khan, who is paring with Huzaifa Abdul Rehman are second seed whereas Daniel Webb (GBR) and Knese Luca Emanuel (GER) are top seed in the Doubles event.  In the Girls Doubles Khanloo Mahta (IRI) and Safi Meshkatolzahra (IRI) are top seed and Choi Ji-Woo (KOR) and Jang Soo Ha (KOR) are second seed. Results: Boy’s Singles 1st Round: Lai Yu-Shun (TPE) beat Osama Khan (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Kim Dong Hwan (KOR) beat Zalan Khan (PAK) 6-1, 6-3; Soahib Khan (PAK) beat Subhan Bin Salik (PAK) 6-2, 6-1; Kang Gunuk (KOR) beat Hamid Israr Gul (PAK) 6-0, 6-1; Giri Aryan (NEP) beat Abdullah Khan (PAK) 6-0, 6-2; Muhammad Nouman Aftab (PAK) beat Mohammad Huzaifa Khan (PAK) 6-0, 6-1; Saqib Hayat (PAK) beat Ibrahim Khan (PAK) 6-3, 6-4; Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) beat Shamsutdinov Oybekmirzo (UZB) 6-3, 6-2; Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) beat Yahya Luni (PAK) 6-3, 6-0; Ahmed Kamil (PAK) beat Muhammad Haidn (PAK) 6-1, 6-0; Lu Chen-Yu (TPE) beat Hyyat Jawad (PAK) 6-0, 6-0; Tootoonchi Moghadam (IRI) beat Muhammad Talha Khan 6-3, 6-3. Boy’s Doubles (1st Round) Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) / Erkin Tootoonchi Moghadam (IRI) beat M.Huzaifa Khan (PAK) / M.Talha Khan (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Ahmed Kamil (PAK) / Subhan Bin Salik (PAK) beat Aryan Giri (NEP) / Hamid Israr Gul (PAK) 6-1, 6-2;