ISLAMABAD: Second seed Jay Clarke of Great Britain clinched the ATP Challenger title after defeating Turkey’s Mart Alkaya in the final at the PTF Tennis Complex on Sunday.

Clarke outplayed Alkaya in straight sets, facing little resistance as he wrapped up the title clash 6-3, 6-1. The Briton dominated from the outset, maintaining control throughout the contest to comfortably secure the championship.

Top seed Elias Ymer of Sweden, ranked 169 in the ATP World/PIF Rankings, had earlier suffered a quarter-final upset at the hands of sixth seed Alkaya.

The Turkish player, however, failed to replicate that performance in the final and appeared out of depth against the in-form Clarke.

The tournament also carried emotional significance as it marked the final ATP Tour appearance of Pakistan’s most celebrated tennis star, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.

Partnering with Muzammil Murtaza, Aisam finished as runner-up in the doubles event, drawing warm applause from the home crowd for his illustrious career and contributions to the sport.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2025

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...