KARACHI: Pakistan No.1 players Aqeel Khan and Ushna Sohail registered contrasting wins to claim the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural Ebrahim Merchant Memorial tennis tournament which concluded here at Karachi Gymkhana on Sunday.

Aqeel was extended by talented Abid Mushtaq in the final before the former won the match 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 while Ushna breezed past Sara Mansoor 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the women’s decider.

Both Aqeel and Ushna received handsome winner’s cash prizes of one and thirty five thousand each from Safia Merchant, who was the chief guest, and Fawad Salim Malik, president of Karachi Gymkhana.

Also present on the occasion were Abbas E. Marchant, Aqeel Merchant, Gulzar Feroze, Sabhiwali Mohammad, PTF secretary Khalid Rahmani and sports organiser Ghulam Mohammad.

The upcoming players award of Rs15,000 each went to Mahatir Mohammad and Israr Gul in the men’s category. Among the ladies, the prize was awarded to Hania Naveed.

In the men’s doubles final, Abid and Usman shocked brothers Aqeel and Yasir 7-6, 1-6, 10-8.

Results (finals):

Men’s singles: Aqeel Khan bt Abid Mustaq 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4

Ladies singles: Ushna Sohail bt Sarah Mansoor 2-6, 6-4, 6-2

U-16: Nouman Aftab bt Noor-e-Mustafa 6-4, 7-6

U-10: Nadir Mirza bt Uzair Bin Abbas 8-5

U-12: Hamid Israr bt Mahatir Mohammad 6-2, 6-4

Men’s doubles: Abid/Usman bt Aqeel/Yasir 7-6, 1-6, 10-8.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017