KARACHI: Veteran Aqeel Khan stunned Pakistan’s top ranked player Muzammil Murtaza in the men’s final as the second KC Jinko Solar National Open Tennis Championship concluded here at the Karachi Club on Friday.

The 45-year old Aqeel claimed the title and the winner’s purse of Rs140,000 by defeating Muzammil 6-4, 7-6. The 25-year-old Muzammil, hailing from Multan, received Rs80,000.

The women’s crown was won by Soha Ali of Wah Cantt, who overcame Romaisa Malik of Punno Aqil 6-4, 6-3.

Soha also triumphed in the girls U-18, defeating Romaisa Malik 6-2, 7-6, while Eman Shahbaz (Lahore) won the girls U-14 title against Dua Yousuf 4-1, 4-0.

Ahtesham Humayun lifted the boys U-18 trophy after overpowering Hazik Aasim 6-2, 6-1. It was Ahtesham’s third title in the category in as many weeks.

Rashid Bachani secured the boys U-14 title after victory over Shayan Afridi 5-4, 4-2.

Doubles action saw Eschelle Asif and Bismal Zia capture the girls U-18 doubles title by beating the duo of Inaya Sayyed and Dalia Ashraf 6-3, 6-3, but Exchelle and Bimal were then defeated in the women’s doubles final by the pairing of Romaisa and Soha, who won 6-1, 4-6, 10-3.

Meanwhile, the boys U-18 doubles title went to M. Yahya and Hassan Usmani, who overcame the pair of Ahtesham and Muzammil Bhand 7-5, 6-3.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025