ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan duo of Aisam-ul-Haq and Muzammil Murtaza qualified for the men’s doubles quarter-finals of the Pakistan ATP Challenger Cup here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Wednesday.

The Pakistan players defeated Russian pair Timofei Derepasko and Ivan Gretskiy 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-6 to secure their place in the last eight.

In the second set, the Pakistan duo showcased remarkable resilience by saving three match points, breaking a crucial game to level at 5-5, and eventually clinching the set 7-5.

Players from Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, US, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria, Sweden, Georgia, Great Britain and Switzerland, along with 10 top Pakistan players, are participating in this event.

Sweden’s Elias Ymer, currently ranked 169 in the ATP World/PIF rankings, is the tournament top seed while Jay Clarke of Great Britain, ranked 213, is the second seed.

Results (pre-quarterfinals):

Men’s singles: Vadym Ursu (Ukraine) bt Timofei Derepasko (Russia) 6-2, 6-1; Jay Clarke (Britain) bt Dinko Dinev (Bulgaria) 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-2; Dominik Palan (Czech Republic) bt Leonardo Borrelli (Italy) 7-6(6), 6-4; Zach Stephens (Britain) bt Nikita Bilozertsev (Ukraine) 4-6, 7-6(2), 5-0 — retired.

Men’s doubles: Muzammil Murtaza (Pakistan)/Aisam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) bt Timofei Derepasko (Russia)/Ivan Gretskiy (Russia) 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-6; Dominik Palan (Czech Republic)/Denis Yevseyev (Kazakhstan) bt Lawrence Bataljin (Australia)/Leonardo Borrelli (Italy) 7-5, 6-3; Zach Stephens (Britain)/Gian Luca Tanner (Switzerland) bt Alexey Aleshchev (Russia)/Adrian Arcon (Australia) 6-2, 6-4.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2025