ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan has entered tennis history books as the oldest player ever to win an ITF professional match, defeating Russia’s Makar Krivoshchekov 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in the Pakistan ITF Championship (ITF M-15 Leg-2) on Wednesday.

At 46 years old, the Pakistani veteran surpassed all previous age records for an ITF pro-level victory. The achievement comes just months after he became the oldest player this century to win a singles match in Davis Cup, during Pakistan’s tie against Senegal in February.

“Thankful to Almighty Allah for this milestone,” Aqeel said after the match. He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation for organising back-to-back ITF tournaments, which enabled him to achieve the record on home soil.

PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated Aqeel, calling the feat a proud moment for Pakistan.

“Achieving such a milestone at the age of 46 is not easy, but Aqeel has proven it with his dedication and performance,” Aisam said.

A total of 86 players from 22 nations, including Pakistan, Russia, Sweden, France, Germany and Japan, are competing in the event. Algeria’s Samir Hamza Reguig, ranked world No. 844, is the top seed.

In other first-round matches, Pakistan’s Muhammad Shoaib, who won the Leg-1 singles title on Sunday, defeated Melih Anavatan of Turkey 6-4, 7-5. Muzammil Murtaza beat Russia’s Artem Bukin 6-1, 6-4. Both advanced to the second round.

Other results (first-round):

Men’s singles: Uladzislau Tarasevich (Russia) beat Carl Holder (Britain) 6-0, 4-1 (retd); Kerem Yilmaz (Turkiye) bt Yassine Smiej (Morocco) 6-3, 6-3; Samir Hamza Reguig (Algeria) bt Egor Khotchenkov (Russia) 6-3, 6-2; Adam Farag-Cao (Canada) bt Dmitrii Shirokii (Russia) 6-2, 6-0; Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (Italy) bt Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (Uzbekistan) 6-2, 6-0; Nikita Ianin (Russia) bt Mikaeel Ali Baig (Pakistan) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1; Ivan Iutkin (Russia) bt Essa Qabazard (Kuwait) 6-2 (Retired).

Men’s doubles: Mert Naci Turker/Melih Anavatan (Turkiye) bt Darrshan Suresh (Malaysia)/Essa Qabazard (Kuwait) 6-1, 7-6(9/7); Grigoriy Lomakin (Kazakhstan)/Muzammil Murtaza (Pakistan) bt Uladzislau Tarasevich (Russia)/Yassine Smiej (Morocco) 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2026