ISLAMABAD - Russian top seed Ivan Nedelko crowned the Serena Hotels ITF Futures Tennis Tournament champion after he thrashed Spaniard Pere Riba in men’s singles final while Ushna Suhail annexed the ladies singles title after defeating top seed Sara Mansoor here at Senator Dilawar Abbas PTF Complex on Sunday.
Ivan won the first set 6-3, by breaking third serve of Riba while he won the second set 6-4 by breaking 10th game. Sharing his views, Nedelko said: “I really enjoyed while playing in Pakistan. Although I had fears prior to my arrival, but now they have vanished and I really enjoyed my stay here. Everybody especially the crowd supported me a lot. I was feeling like playing in Russia and it was fantastic event and arrangements were excellent.”
In the ladies singles final, Ushna Suhail overpowered resilient Sara Mansoor 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Ushna did not have to exert much by breaking one serve game in first set. In the second, both players exchanged long rallies as Sara took 5-1 lead. With aggressive net game and winners, Ushna was 5-4 behind with Sara winning the next game to take second set. In third set, Ushna excelled in playing backhand winners and steady game to win the third set and match. It was fifth consecutive title for the undisputed princess of Pakistan tennis. In the U-18 final, Yousaf Khalil outclassed Aman Atique in straight sets. Both youngsters displayed quality tennis by playing shots all over the court. Yousaf won 6-3 and 6-4. Sadik Babur Girgin, Turkish ambassador to Pakistan, graced the final as chief guest. He thanked PTF president Salim Saifullah and sponsors Serena Hotels for the inviting him as a chief guest. He also hoped that the Turkish players would also participate in the tournaments and also recalled strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey, which were never effected through thick and thin.
PTF president Salim Saifullah expressed his pleasure at the successful conduct of the tournament and thanked the chief guest, Serena Hotels, entire PTF team and especially law enforcement agencies, media, players and all the guests for making the event a success. He invited the international players to come to Pakistan and participate in the future sports events especially in tennis.