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| October 20, 2003 | Monday | Sha'aban 23, 1424 |
Top seed Aqeel bags Federal Cup crown
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19: Top seed Aqeel Khan on Sunday reaffirmed his status as the country’s top player as he came from behind to land the 20th Federal Cup Tennis crown with a knock out of Nomi Qamar at the clay courts of Islamabad Club.
Aqeel, the star of Pakistan’s Davis Cup victory over Korea last month, scored a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win in a two-hour final that provided interesting rallies punctuated with fine shots.
The title which was always expected to be Aqeel’s earned him a purse of Rs 30,000 while Nomi got half that amount as the tournament in which leading players took part came to a successful close.
In the first set, the score went to 4-all as both players held their own serves. But it wasn’t a particularly good start for Aqeel as he conceded the set after Nomi broke his 9th game.
However, Aqeel made amends in the second set in which he built up a winning 4-1 lead by breaking Nomi’s fourth game and then went on to win breaking his rival’s eighth game.
The engrossing final set was marked by a good combination of fore and backhand drives. Aqeel went ahead 5-4 and then claimed the set and the match.
Aqeel, in partnership with Davis Cup coach Rashid Malik had also won the doubles title on Saturday.
Meanwhile the talented Wasif Cheema toppled top seed Shahzad Khan to capture the boys under-18 singles title.
In what was a big upset, Wasif edged his opponent 6-7(8), 7- 6(8), 7-5, the final running for more than two hours.
“I was not expecting to beat Shahzad but that I was able to do so was because I put in my best,” Wasif told Dawn.
Wasif said that some technical faults in his service had been removed by coach Mahboob Khan and because of that his game had improved. “I practice hard and hope to play in more international tournaments in the days ahead.”
The recent back to back ITF Junior Tournaments in Islamabad greatly helped Wasif. “These events have given me valuable experience and exposure.”
Results:
Men’s singles final: Aqeel Khan bt Nomi Qamar 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Boys under-18 singles final: Wasif Cheema bt Shahzad Khan 6-7(8), 7-6(8), 7-5.
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