PESHAWAR: Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan won the 35th Chief of the Air Staff Khyber Open Tennis Championship for a record 17th consecutive time by defeating Mohammad Abid 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 in the final here at Officer Mess courts on Wednesday.
Davis Cupper and Pakistan star player Aqeel and talented Abid enthralled the spectators with their great show of forceful smashes and baseline shots. Aqeel, right from the outset, got control over the match and did not give much time to his rival Abid to bounce back. The dominance of Aqeel can be guaged from the fact that he gave just one game to Abid in the first and second set respectively.
Earlier, Aqeel beat his younger brother and Pakistan No. 2 Yasir Khan 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-final while Abid faced tough resistance against seeded player Heera Ashiq in a marathon four-set battle before winning 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 and 6-1.
In the boys Under-18 qualifier Muzammil Murtaza upset top seed Haris Irfanul Haq in a thrilling player 7-6, 4-6 and 6-2. It was a major upset in the championship by Muzammil.
Before the final Muzammil defeated Yousuf Khan 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and seeded Asadullah 7-5, 6-1.
In the Under-14 contest, Shoaib Khan beat Hamza bin Rehan 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in another thrilling match. Shoaib the top seeded player downed qualifier Hamza bin Rehan. Shoaib beat Mohammad Abdullah in the first semi-final 6-2, 6-2 and Hamza beat Aaqib Umer by 6-1, 6-3.
In the Under-10 category, unseeded Hamid Israr, son of ITF winner Israr Gul, beat Bilal Asim 5-3, 4-2.
In the veteran doubles, Israr Gul and Jhanzeb Khan beat Inamullah and Irfanullah 7-6, 6-3.
In the doubles, Shehzad Khan and Yasir Khan defeated Aqeel Khan and Heera Ashiq 6-3, 6-4.
At the end, the chief guest gave away trophies and cash prizes to the winners and runners-up.
Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016
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