FAISALABAD: Pakistan made a strong start in the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 12 & Under Team Competition Final 2024, edging out Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their opening group match on Monday in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
Competing in Group D, alongside Saudi Arabia and Thailand, Pakistan’s young tennis players showed resilience and determination to claim their first victory of the tournament. The opening singles match saw Pakistan’s Rashid Ali put on an impressive performance against Saudi Arabia’s Elyas Al Ghafi.
Rashid dominated the first set with a commanding 6-0 win, but Al Ghafi made a comeback in the second, winning it 6-4 to level the match. However, Rashid regained control in the third set, claiming a decisive 6-1 victory to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead.
In the second singles, Muhammad Shayan Afridi faced Hamza El Mansoury in a hard-fought contest. Afridi started strong, winning the first set 6-4, but El Mansoury bounced back, taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-2, and levelling the tie at 1-1.
With the match poised for a tight finish, the doubles encounter became the deciding factor. The Pakistani duo of Rashid Ali and Muhammad Shayan Afridi stepped up to the challenge, delivering a crucial win over Saudi Arabia’s Anas Al Zahrani and Hamza El Mansoury. The Pakistani pair won the doubles 6-2, 6-4, sealing a 2-1 victory for their team.
Pakistan face Thailand on Tuesday (today).
The ATF 12 & Under Team Competition Final 2024 is a prestigious event featuring top junior players from across Asia. Pakistan’s participation in the tournament is a significant opportunity for the country’s budding tennis talents to gain valuable international exposure.
With a solid start under their belt, the Pakistani team is hopeful of continuing their winning streak and making a deep run in the tournament.