December 25, 2006	Monday	Zilhaj 03, 1427

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LAHORE, Dec 24: Top seed and national champion Aqeel Khan came from behind to annex the men’s singles title in the IC Open National Ranking tennis championship overcoming the challenge of second seed Asim Shafik in the final at Bagh-i-Jinnah grass courts on Sunday.

Aqeel laboured for almost 110 minutes on the court to beat Asim 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4.

The final started on a thrilling note and it seemed that a gruelling fight was in store between the two Davis Cuppers. But as the game progressed, Asim failed to maintain his stride losing the remaining two sets rather easily.

"The court was dead and I felt some problems in hitting backhand shots in the first set," Aqeel who received Rs50,000 and a trophy said after winning the final.

Asim was honoured with a cash prize of Rs 25,000.

In the ladies category, Sara Mehboob ended with a double crown.

First she won the ladies' singles title defeating Natasha Afridi in the colourless final 6-2, 6-2.

Later she also won the U-17 title defeating Saba Aziz 7-5, 6-3.

Shan Bokhari crushed Waqas Malik 6-1, 6-1 to win the boys U-15 title.

Zubair Raza emerged as U-13 champion carving out a hard fought win against Abid Ali in three-set final 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Rao Iftikhar and Zahid Zafar crowned with seniors' double title defeating the pair of Khalid Ikram and Ahsan Naz 6-4, 6-4.

Results:

Men's singles: Aqeel Khan bt Asim Shafik 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4.

Ladies' singles: Sara Mehboob bt Natasha Afridi 6-2, 6-2.

Girls U-17 singles: Sara Mehboob bt Saba Aziz 7-5, 6-3.

Boys U-15 singles: Shan Bokhari bt Waqas Malik 6-1, 6-1.

Boys U-13 singles: Zubair Raza bt Abid ali 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Seniors doubles: Iftikhar-Zahid Zafar bt Khalid Ikram-Ahsan Naz 6-4, 6-4.