KARACHI: Ahetsham Humiyoon and Romesa Malik emerged triumphant in the Under-18 category while Muzammil Bhand clinched the Under-14 crown as the KC Jinko Solar National Juniors and Seniors Tennis Championship concluded here at Karachi Club on Friday.
In the boys U-18 final, Ahetsham staged a remarkable comeback against Aboubaker Talha winning 5-7, 7-6(7), 6-3.
The 16-year-old Ahetsham’s aggressive approach in the first set backfired as he over hit some shots, giving away points and eventually losing the set.
The second set proved to be a nail-biting affair. Ahetsham started strongly, taking a 3-0 lead but Aboubaker fought back. Both players traded games in a seesaw battle that led to a tie-break.
Ahtesham proved to be the fresher one in the tie-break as he easily won 7-1 and levelled the score.
In the decisive third set, Ahetsham regained his composure, dominating his opponent and comfortably securing the set to claim the title.
“I was playing too slow in the first set and missing my groundstrokes,” Ahetsham told Dawn. “Later, I started playing my natural attacking game, and that’s when I won more comfortably.”
Their was a tame ending to the girls Under-18 final as Romesa got a walk over win against Dalia Shazim who suffered an injury during the match.
Dalia picked the injury during her ladies singles final against Eschelle Asif, in which she was trailing 6-3, 4-3.
Eschelle also reigned supreme in the U-14 final, outlasting Khadija Khalil of Lahore in a tight contest 4-2, 2-4, 4-2.
Khadija suffered another setback as Rania Bus showed great heart to bag the Under-12 crown, winning 5-3, 5-3.
The boys Under-14 final saw Muzammil registering a dominant 5-3, 4-1 against Ruhab Faisal. Ruhab later made amends as he bagged the U-14 doubles title with Ismail Aftab.
In the doubles finals, the duo of Mohammad Salar and Hamza Asim secured an 8-5 win over Aboubakar and Asad Zaman.
Arsh Imran bagged the Under-10 title while Ali Zamin claimed the Under-8 honours.
In the 45-plus decider, Talha Waheed and Tanveer Malik downed Asad Ali and Khalid Ali 9-7.
Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2024