ISLAMABAD - Aqeel Khan survived a huge scare from Abid Khan before clinching the Second Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan Memorial National Ranking Tennis Championship while Ushna Suhail clinched the women title with utmost ease against Sara Mansoor on Sunday.
Aqeel must considered himself very lucky to avoid highly embarrassing defeat at the hands of Abid, who against all the odds almost stunned Aqeel in highly tense and entertaining final, which lasted for more than 2 hours. A highly unfortunate Abid twisted his left ankle, while trying to return a shot and was leading 2-1 and 30-15 up in the 4th set.
Abid started the first set in dramatic fashion as he broke the very first serve of Aqeel and was leading 5-0 in the first set as Aqeel committed too many unforced errors and for the very first time, it was Aqeel who was battling to avoid embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the first set. Aqeel finally broke 6th game of Abid to ensure some respect and he managed to hold onto his serve to make it 2-5, but it was all he could get in the first set as Abid held his serve to take 1-0 lead.
Like witnessed so many times in the past a wounded Aqeel always bounced back and opponent had to face his backlash, same happened in the second set. Aqeel held his serve and then broke Abid in the 4th and 8th games to take the set 6-2. Third set started in whirlwind fashion and Abid bounced back in style to break Aqeel’s first serve and held his serve before Aqeel hit back and held his serve to make it 1-2. Aqeel broke 4th game of Abid to make it 2-2. Aqeel then again broke Abid’s 8th game to wrap up the third set 6-3.
Abid was well placed in the 4th set and was leading 2-1 and was 30-15 up when Abid twisted his ankle trying to return a shot. He was screaming with unbearable pain and people rushed to check Abid including PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan, while doctor also rushed to check exact nature of injury. After several minutes wait, it was declared Abid could not continue the final and thus it was awarded to Aqeel. In the female singles, international star Ushna Suhail was too good for Pakistan number 1 Sara Mansoor as she thrashed Sara 2-0 to lift ladies singles title in style. Sara played well in first set which was decided on tiebreak. Sara had twice opportunity to wrap up the first set, as she was 5-4 up and then 6-5 up and was leading 40-30, but she failed to take advantage, which cost her dearly, as Ushna win the first set 7-6 (1) on tiebreaker. It was all Ushna in the second set and Sara was not more than a meagre spectator. Ushna was simply outstanding as she routed Sara 6-0 to seal the fate of match. Hamza Roman beat Hamid Israr 4-1 and 4-2 to become the inaugural champion of U-10 category.
Rudolfo J Sarvia Martin, Ambassador of Argentina & Dean of Diplomatic core was the chief guest, along with PTF President Salim Saifullah Khan, dignitaries and tennis lovers were also present in quite a few numbers. Aqeel Khan was awarded cash prize of Rs 100,000 and shield, while M ABid beg Rs 45,000 cash and runners up shield, UShna pocketed Rs 35,000 cash and shield, while Sara received Rs 18,000 cash and runners up shield.