ISLAMABAD: Promising Muhammad Shoaib clinched men’s singles title of the 36th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships after overpowering seasoned Aqeel Khan in the final of the 36th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Shoaib pulled off a straight-set victory 6-2, 6-4 in the final fixture that lasted for one hour and 18 minutes.
Shoaib got off to a flying start, taking a 4-2 lead by breaking the first game of Aqeel and kept the same pressure to win the first set at 6-2. In the second set, Aqeel fought back but Shoaib did not allow him to settle down as he exhibited excellent tennis from the baseline, breaking the 7th game of Aqeel to build up the winning streak 4-3.
Aqeel in the process hit a double fault. Shaoib continued the same pressure and in the 10th game he hit a strong serve. He won the set by hitting ace to win the title. Earlier in the day, in the ladies singles, Sarah Mahboob annexed the title by eliminating upcoming youngster Amna Ali Qayum from Islamabad in a well-fought straight sets final. Sarah won the toss and chose to serve.
Both the players exhibited excellent game down the line and cross-court. Sarah took the lead 5-4 and broke the 10th game of Amna and won the set at 6-4. In the second set both the players again played the marvelous tennis with the combination of excellent cross-court and down the lines.
Sarah took the lead of 5-3 by breaking the 8th game of Amna, who fought back bravely and managed to level the score 5 games all by breaking the 9th game of Sarah. In the 11th game, Sarah took the serve advance and again developed the winning lead 6-5.
In the 12th game, Amna was unable to maintain her confidence and hit two double faults. Sarah took the advantage and comfortably broke the game and won the set at 6-4 7-5. In the boys & girls 10 & under Muhammad Arsh from Karachi won the title by defeating the 2nd seed Muhammad Faizan in straight set 4-2 4-1.
Usama Azhar, Director Sport PTV and Majid Bashir Senior Executive Vice President of Islamabad Tennis Association attended the closing ceremony as guest of honour and distributed the prizes amongst the winners and runners-up.
Secretary PTF Col. (r) Gul Rehman, MT Cheema, Senior Executive Vice President, ITA also distributed the prizes to winners and runner-ups.
