29 November 2004	Monday	16 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: Top seed Nomi Qamar on Sunday won the Federal Cup Ranking Tennis Championship edging 3rd seed Asim Shafik for what was his first national title.

Nomi saved five match points to score a well-deserved 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) victory at the PTF Complex in failing light to lay his hands on the crystal trophy.

It was an engrossing final as both players fought tooth and nail to gain superiority over each other but in the end Nomi kept his nerve to take the honours. "I knew I could win it and I am delighted that I did," said Nomi who got top seeding in the absence of defending champion Aqeel Khan.

Nomi who won the first set by breaking Asim's serve in the 9th game, hit fine passing shots. But Asim fought back in the second set after being 2-4 down and levelled the game scores at 4-4 and then broke his opponent's 10th game to square the match.

The decisive set was marked by aces, long rallies and powerful cross court and backhand shots. Both players held their serve and were level at 3-3. However, Asim then built up a 5-3 lead breaking Nomi in the 8th game and was serving for the match.

But in an excellent display of concentration, Nomi saved five match points and levelled the scores at 5-5 by holding his own serve. The game was again tied at 6-6 and the match went into a tie break which Nomi won easily. Nomi's victory earned him Rs 30,000 while Asim took home Rs 18,000.