Veteran Aqeel Khan retains 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Tournament title

Veteran Aqeel Khan annexed the 33rd Federal Cup National Ranking tennis tournament’s men’s singles title after defeating Muzammil Murtaza at Senator Dilawar Abbas PTF Complex, Islamabad.

Aqeel, the long serving national champion built up the 2-0 lead by breaking Muzammil’s first game. Muzammil leveled the score in the first set breaking the Aqeel’s fourth game. Despite being not even half fit, Muzammil was playing flawless tennis and dominated the set, which he won in 33 minutes.

Muzammil sealed the opening set 6-3 and thanked to his powerful strokes from the baseline.

In the second set the score went up to 3-3, as both the players held their respective services. Mzuammil, who was fully aware that he was not well and with more time passes, it will be impossible for him to carry on, so he was putting more pressure on Aqeel, who finally managed to break eighth game of Muzammil and smartly won the second set 6-3 in 29 minutes. 

Aqeel cruised in the final set taking a 2-0 lead by breaking the first game of the final set. When Aqeel won the sixth game by holding his own serve and took the lead to 4-2. Muzammil conceded the match due to the injury at 4-2 to confirm Aqeel’s victory after a two-hour encounter.

Aqeel was awarded Rs 60,000 along with the trophy while Muzammil pocketed Rs 40,000 as the runner-up.

The ladies singles final between Sara Mansoor and Sarah Mahboob will be played on February 14 as both are part of Pakistan Fed Cup team, which is presently in New Zealand. 

In the senior 45 doubles final, the pair of Irfanullah and Israr Gul defeated the duo of Hameed-ul-Haq and Mehmood Khan 6-4, 6-3.

A total of Rs 350,000 were distributed as prize money. Islamabad Tennis Association (ITA) Secretary Arif Qureshi paid glowing tributes to late Syed Dilawar Abbas for the establishment of ITA and valuable contributions for uplift of tennis in Islamabad as well as across the country.

ITA President Tariq Murtaza graced the occasion as chief guest and distributed prizes and medals among the players. The medals were also awarded to members of ladies team, which won bronze medal in the National Games.

PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan, SVP Khawar Hyat, Secretary Col (R) Gul Rehman, Saeed Ahmed, Hassan Baig, Nighat Saeed along with tennis lovers witnessed the entertaining final.