ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s lone international female tennis star Ushna Suhail added yet another title to her cabinet, as she won the Subh-e-Nau National Clay Court Tennis Championship 2017 women singles final after defeating Sara Mansoor here at Senator Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex on Saturday.
Ushna completely demolished here opponent, who is surprisingly still Pakistan No 1, despite not winning a major title since long. The strange ranking system in women tennis has been adopted by the federation, as Ushna, like Aisam, is the only player, who world ranking points, while on the other hand, none of other females has even ITF rankings. But there is no one who may seek explanation from the federation’s high ups, who have their own style of dealing with the things.
Aisam is Pakistan No 1 as he enjoys international ranking points, while Aqeel, who is Pakistan’s longest serving undisputed king, is ranked two, just because of Aisam’s ITF points. Why two different criteria are being adopted by the federation and why it is not ready to answer this simple question?
Ushna was in sublime form with the racket in the first set, as she was toying with Sara, who had no answers to the pace and bullet serves of Ushna. It seems that a top class player was playing against a school-going girl, as Sara was looking hapless and had no clue what was coming next to her. Ushna was playing awesome tennis and quickly wrapped up the set 6-1. Sara then bounced back and got 3 points but Ushna then changed her gears and raced onto to take the second set 6-3, thus won the final. With this victory, Ushna has won the fourth national title of the year. She was awarded with winner’s trophy and Rs 25,000 cash, while Sara received Rs 16,000 cash and runner-up trophy.
Local boy and top seed Sami Zeb bounced back after losing first set to clinch his fourth boys U-14 title against Uzair Khan of Peshawar. Uzair won first set after a good show, however, he could not repeat his performance in remaining two sets, thus lost the final 7-6 (3), 1-6, 5-7. Sami pocketed Rs 8000 while Uzair received Rs 5000 cash. Boys U-10 title went to Ahtesham Humayun as he defeated Abdullah Azhar in the final. Ahtesham received Rs 4000 while Abdullah got Rs 2000.
Men’s singles winner Aqeel Khan won prize money of Rs 45,000, while runner-up M Muzammil received Rs 27,000, men’s doubles winners Abid and Usman Rafique received RS 8000 each, while runners-up Aqeel Khan/Heera Ashiq got Rs 5000. The boys U-18 winner Saqib Umar was awarded with Rs 13,000 and runner-up M Shoaib Rs 8000.
A total of Rs 300,000 were distributed among the players of different categories besides daily allowances and economy class train fares to the juniors. The prize distribution ceremony was held after the ladies singles final with former MNA Humayun Saifullah Khan gracing the final as chief guest.