Aqeel whips Jalil to lift ranking title

Published February 27, 2007

KARACHI, Feb 26: Tennis ace Aqeel Khan lived up to his top billing when he whipped second seed Jalil Khan in straight sets in the all-brothers final to annex men’s singles crown in the Sindh ranking tennis tournament at the CDGK Sports Complex on Monday.

Aqeel won 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in the 75-minute battle to pick up the first Sindh ranking title of the year before a selected audience.

Displaying better serves and volleys, Aqeel was in attacking mood right from the word go and raced to seal the opening set 6-1.

However, Jalil stormed back and came close to extend him by playing neck-and-neck until 6-all in the second set but went down in a tie-breaker. Aqeel wrapped up 7-6 (7-3).

The triumph earned Aqeel a purse of Rs8,000 while Jalil got Rs4,000.

Earlier, Khwaja Hamza proved too good for Imran Mooraj by handing him a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to grab the boys under-11 title.

Hamza who claimed his maiden national ranking title in the under-11 category at the same venue last month was in best nick and scored winners at will.

Meanwhile, Aqeel Khan and his younger brother Yasir Khan are to leave for Islamabad soon to attend national camp in preparation for the next Davis Cup tie slated in April.

Country’s top players are also due to feature in two back-to-back National ranking tournaments being held at Faisalabad and Rahim Yar Khan next month.

Results (finals):

Men’s singles: Aqeel Khan bt Jalil Khan 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).

Boys Under-11 singles: Khwaja Hamza bt Imran Mooraj 6-2, 6-2.