This was Sarah's 53rd national title and her career's 29th in the ladies category. Prior to making her name in ladies, she had pocketed 24 national juniors' titles. -Photo by APP

KARACHI Pakistan's top-ranked player Sarah Mahboob added yet another feather to her cap when she brushed aside second seed Saba Aziz in straight sets to retain the singles crown in the Subh-e-Nau Ladies National Tennis championship at the Modern Club courts on Saturday.

 

The final, organised hurriedly in the morning in the aftermath of Friday's twin bomb blasts, fell short of expectations contrary to their last meeting, as Sarah was home 6-0, 6-2.

The triumph also enabled her to earn a double crown as she together with Sara Mansoor had carved out a 6-4, 7-5 victory over the combination of Saba Aziz and Mehak Khokhar in the doubles final on Friday evening.

This was Sarah's 53rd national title and her career's 29th in the ladies category. Prior to making her name in ladies, she had pocketed 24 national juniors' titles.

Pakistan No 2 Saba Aziz is the only player in the circuit who has beaten Sarah Mahboob in the pre-final of the National Clay Court championship held at Islamabad last year. Saba won the three-set agonising match 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6).

Sarah earned a winning purse of Rs70,000 and an additional Rs6,500 for the doubles victory. Saba fetched runner-up prize of Rs40,000 and Rs3,500, respectively.

Mehak Khokhar received Rs15,000 for her victory in under-17 while Maheen Dada earned the runner-up prize of Rs6,000.

The event carried prize money of Rs200,000.

Result

Singles final

Sarah Mahboob (Islamabad) bt Saba Aziz (Lahore) 6-0, 6-2.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...