Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD (December 10, 2022): Second seed man, Mohammad Shoaib and top seed lady, Sarah Mehboob have clinched the men’s & women’s Singles titles of the 35th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships after beating their opponents in the finals here at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex on Saturday.
In the Men’s Singles Final, 21-year-old, 2nd seed Mohammad Shoaib of PAF registered an upset victory after toppling top-seed Aqeel Khan in a thrilling, see-saw match which lasted over 1 hour 35 minutes 7-5, 3-6, (retd) to win the Championship.
Shoaib got off to a flying start, taking a 2-0 lead, but Aqeel fought back to draw level, Shoaib again break the 11th game of Aqeel and took the lead 6-5 and by holding the 12 game, finished the set at 7-5.
In the second set, after a few closely fought games, Aqeel took complete control of the game and won 6-3, as the deciding set was expected to see some exhilarating tennis but due to injury Aqeel Khan left the match in favour of Shoaib Khan.
Earlier in the day, in the Ladies Singles Sarah Mahboob beat Noor Malik 6-2 (Retd.) Although expectations were that the encounter would be closely fought out, but Noor Malik left the match due to her elbow injury. Sarah was awarded a cash award of Rs. 40,000 whereas Noor Malik pocketed Rs. 24,000.
Heera Ashiq pairing with Yousaf Khalil clinched the Men’s Doubles title by defeating Muzammil Murtaza and Mudassar Murtaza in a well contested three sets match with the score-line of 6-7 (4), 7-5 and 10-6. All the players showed quality tennis and long rallies were witnessed from the base lines. Muzammil & Mudassar won the first set at 7-6(4). In the second set Heera & Yousaf changed the strategy and start attacking on the net and won the second set at 7-5. The match was decided in the super tie break which was won by Heera & Yousaf at 10-6.
Tariq Mehmood Murtaza, President Islamabad Tennis Association awarded Cash award of Rs.10,000 and a gold medal to Husanian Mehmood who passed his ITF White Badge Chair Umpire this year.
Results (finals):
Men’s Singles (Final):
Mohammad Shoaib beat Aqeel Khan 7-5, 3-6 (Retd)
Ladies Singles (Final):
Sarah Mahboob beat Noor Malik 6-2 (Retd.)
Men’s Doubles (Final):
Heera Ashiq / Yousaf Khalil beat Muzammil Murtaza / Mudassar Murtaza 6-7 (4), 7-5, 10-6
Under-18 Singles (Final)
Sami Zeb Khan beat Bilal Asim 6-3, 6-4
Under-12 Boys & Girls Singles (Final):
Abdur Rehman beat Haziq Arejo 3-5, 5-2, 4-0
