ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 Aqeel Khan lifted the National Clay Court Tennis Championship defeating Asim Shafik in straight sets in the final of the championship played at the PTF complex on Sunday.

Aqeel`s chances of winning the final was quite clear right from the word go when he won the first set 6-2 with some good cross court shots.

Brimming with confidence, Aqeel won the second set 6-4 easily also.

After winning the championship Aqeel told Dawn “I took advantage of Asim`s hand injury as he was not serving well.”

He added, “Although Asim was playing good game but when you can`t serve well then it`s a problem in an important fixture.”

Aqeel, pointed out that he was relaxed and sure that he would win the final.

In the ladies singles final, top seed Sara Mehboob trounced Ushna Sohail 7-5, 6-4.

Ushna, went for some unforced errors in the first set losing 5-7 against Sara.

The top seed did not allow Ushna to settle down throughout the set with her power- ful forehand and backhand shots.

Sara commanded the second set with aces and combina-tion of forehand, backhand cross court down the line drives. Sara won the second set 6-4.

Meanwhile, in the boys` U-17 event Heera Ashiq was unfortunate against an aggressive looking Mohammad Waqas Malik when he was down to him in the final.

Waqas defeated Heera in a three set thriller winning the title 6-7, 6-3 and 7-5.

The championship was organized by an NGO, Subh-e- Nau. Beside shields, players were rewarded with cash prizes.

To appreciate female players, organizers raised the prize money of winner and runner-up from twenty-five thousand to forty thousand rupees.

Results

Men`s singles final

Aqeel Khan bt Asim Shafik 6-2, 6-4.

Boys` U-17

Mohammad Waqas Malik bt Heera Ashiq 6-7, 6-3, 7-5.

Ladies final

Sara Mansoor bt Ushna Sohail 7-5, 6-4.