ISLAMABAD: Pakist­an’s talented youngster Abubakar Talha advanced to the second round on the opening day of the ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) event here at the PTF Complex on Tuesday.

Participating in the tournament through a wild card, Abubakar was in control (6-3, 3-2) against Nep­al’s Abishek Bastola 6-3, 3-2 before the latter retired due to cramps, sending the former to the next round.

Mohammad Abid, anot­her Pakistan player, dow­ned Abdul­aziz Usmonjonov of Uzbekistan 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the second round.

Results (first round): Dmitrii Shirokii (Russia) bt Lawrence Bataljin (Australia) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(11-9); Nikita Ianin (Russia) bt Ivan Iutkin (Russia) 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-5; Kerem Yilmaz (Turkey) bt Mikaeel Ali Baig (Pakistan) 6-2, 6-2; Matas Vasiliauskas (Lithuania) bt Muzammil Murtaza (Pakistan) 7-6(5), 6-3; Essa Qabazard (Kuwait) bt Ahmed Nael (Pakistan) 6-3, 6-3.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2026