Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan number one tennis player, top seed Aqeel Khan will take on Mohammad Shoaib in the final of the 35th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championship on Saturday after beating their respective rivals Muzammil and Mudassar respectively here at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex on Friday.
Top seed Aqeel Khan had to toil hard on the court to overcome his challenger, who gave him tough fight in the three-set thriller. Both players displayed top quality game in this match, as it was high-caliber and remarkable tennis and excellent forehand and backhand drives were witnessed.
In the first set, Muzammil ground strokes were prefect in rhythm and he was flawless from the net and out played Aqeel Khan won the first set at 6-4. In the 2nd set, Aqeel Khan bounced back aggressively and gained his strength according to experience player and level the match 1-1 set all. In the final set, Aqeel Khan kept the same pressure and won set and match at score of 6-3 by breaking 2nd game of Muzammil and qualified for the final of Men’s Singles. The match lasted 2 hrs 16 minutes.
In the second semifinal, twenty-one years old Mohammad Shoaib outclassed the 6th seed Mudassar Murtaza by playing excellent game of tennis in straight set win 6-4 6-2. Tariq Mehmood Murtaza Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority and president, Islamabad Tennis Association will grace the occasion on Men’s Singles final on Saturday and will distribute the prizes amongst the winners and runners-up.
Results:
Men’s Singles (Semifinals):
Aqeel Khan beat Muzammil Murtaza 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Mohammad Shoaib beat Mudassar Murtaza 6-4, 6-2
Ladies Singles (Semifinals):
Sarah Mahboob beat Amna Qayyum 6-0, 6-0
Noor Malik Vs Esha Jawad (in progress)
Men’s Doubles (Semifinals):
Muzammil Murtaza / Mudassar Murtaza beat Mohammad Shoaib / Barkatullah 1-6, 6-3, 10-2
Heera Ashiq / Yousaf Khalil beat Mohammad Talha Khan / Mohammad Huzaifa Khan 6-4, 6-1
Under-18 Singles (Semifinals):
Bilal Asim beat Ahmed Nael Qureshi 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
Sami Zeb Khan beat Mohammad Talha Khan 7-6 (14), 6-7 (5), 6-3
Under-12 Boys & Girls (Semifinals):
Abdur Rehman beat Mohammad Shakib 4-1, 4-2
Haziq Arejo beat Hajra Suhail 4-1, 4-1
