KARACHI, Dec 23: Giving a giant killing performance, Davis Cupper and fifth seed, Shahzad Khan, clinched the first title of his career when he breezed past fourth seed, Jalil Khan, in three sets in the final of the KC Yaqoob Admaney memorial tennis tournament at the Karachi Club on Friday.
It took Shahzad one hour 50 minutes to dispose off his opponent 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1 to emerge victorious.
‘After my triumphs against third seed Nomi Qamar and top seed Aqeel Khan in quarterfinal and semifinal, I was confident and looking forward to adding a feather to my cap,’ a jubilant Shahzad told Dawn after the final.
The former national junior champion who last represented Pakistan in the Davis Cup play-off away tie against Chile said after dropping the opener in a tie-breaker, he changed his game plan which paid off.
He attributed his success to strong serve and volley game which earned him the winners.
Playing third final of a ranking tournament, the title has once again eluded Davis Cupper Jalil. In the previous two title battles, he had lost to elder brother Aqeel Khan at the same venue in Salma Noorani Cup last year and then suffered loss at the hands of Asim Shafik in Governor’s Cup at Faisalabad.
It is a good omen that the final has thrown new champion who has emerged as a strong candidate for selection in the Davis Cup squad for the February tie against Taiwan.
Upcoming Yasir Khan became the only player to win a double crown in the tournament.
After winning the juniors’ singles, he along with Tanveer Ashiq won the doubles by having better of Omer Babar-Khurram Nazir 6-4, 7-6 on Thursday night.
The men’s doubles title went to Aqeel Khan-Rashid Malik who inflicted 7-6, 6-4 defeat on Jalil Khan-Asif Raja late on Thursday.
Shahzad, a three-time former ITF juniors’ champion, after enjoying 5-3 edge over his opponent squandered the advantage to be tied at 5-5 and 6-6 before going down in a tie-breaker 6-7 (5-7) in 50 minute. Both Jalil and Shahzad double faulted once in the opening set.
However, after conceding the game which he could win, Shahzad staged a comeback and raced to 4-1 lead. Despite his strong service, he faltered on some occasions before winning the set 6-3 in 35 minute to level score 1-1.
The third and decisive set turned out to be a one sided affair as Shahzad won the set 6-1 to seal the fate.
Shahzad received Rs. 65,000 and a glittering trophy. Jalil got richer by Rs. 30,000.
Nida Waseem who won the women’s singles crown earned Rs. 35,000 while Maryam Rahim got runners up purse of Rs. 15,000. The tournament carried highest-ever prize money of Rs. 3,60,000.
Results:
Men’s singles (final): Shahzad Khan bt Jalil Khan 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1.
