Aqeel, Ushna crowned Pakistan Open Tennis champs

LAHORE: Pakistan’s No 1 tennis player Aqeel Khan and ladies champion Ushna Suhail clinched the titles in the Nayza Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2019 that concluded here at PLTA courts on Thursday.

Aqeel utilised his wide experience and remained cool, calm and composed throughout the well-contested men’s singles final and defeated young and aggressive Muzammil Murtaza with a score of 7-5, 6-1. Aqeel faced tough resistance from the youngster in the first set, before winning it 7-5. But the men’s singles champion played a very wise game in the second set and put Muzammil under tremendous pressure to win the set comfortable by 6-1.

In the ladies singles final, Pakistan’s first and only world ranked player Ushna Suhail had to struggle to overcome spirited Sara Mehboob by 6-3, 7-5. Rashid Malik (ZTBL) and Fayyaz Khan clinched men’s 45 plus title after defeating Israr Gul and Asher 7-5, 6-2.

The boys U-18 title was won by Hasheesh Kumar, who beat Nalain Abbas 6-3, 6-1. SNGPL’s Hamid Israr beat Bilal Asim 6-1, 6-1 to bag U-14 boys title. The boys U-12 title went to Hamza Roman, who thrashed Husnain Ali Rizwan 4-0, 4-0. The U-10 title was also won by Hamza Roman, who beat Ameer Mazari 5-3, 0-4, 10-8. The ladies U-14 title went to Labika Durrab, who routed Ashtafalia 4-0, 4-2 while Haniya Minhas grabbed girls U-12 by crushing Labika Durrab 4-0, 4-0. Rafum Group Chairman Zahid Hussain graced the occasion as chief guest while PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik, Sports Board Punjab (SBP) Vice Chairman Rao Qayyun Zahid, players and their families and tennis lovers were also present on the occasion.

Rashid Malik thanked the sponsors and especially Rafum Group Chairman Zahid Hussain for his generous support towards the game. After the event Aqeel and Ushna also lauded the contribution of the sponsors towards the promotion of the game.