Muzammil upsets Aqeel in ranking tennis semis

A representational image of tennis. — Unsplash/File

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza will play for the men’s singles title in the OGDCL Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships following the semi-finals here at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Thursday.

Top-seed Muhammad Shoaib cruised into the final with a commanding performance, defeating Yousaf Khalil 6-1, 6-0. The second semi-final witnessed an upset as 3rd seed Muzammil Murtaza overcame veteran 2nd seed Aqeel Khan (Wapda) in a gripping three-set battle. Although Aqeel took the first set 6-3 and initially led 4-1 in the second, Muzammil displayed remarkable resilience.

He bounced back to win the second set 6-3, showcasing powerful serves and precise cross-court and down-the-line shots. In the deciding set, Muzammil broke early to lead 3-0, at which point Aqeel retired due to fatigue, handing Muzammil a place in the final.

In the Junior 18 & Under category, the match of the day featured an exciting clash between Muhammad Yahya and Rayyan Khan Khalil. Youngster Rayyan, hailing from Peshawar, won the opening set against 2nd seed Yahya with his aggressive shot-making and pinpoint cross-court winners. However, Yahya regained control, taking the second set 6-3 and dominating the third set 6-1 to secure his place in the final.

Results: Men’s singles semi-finals: Muhammad Shoaib bt Yousaf Khalil 6-1 6-0, Muzammil Murtaza bt Aqeel Khan 3-6 6-3 3-0 (Retd). Men’s doubles (semi-finals): Muhammad Shoaib & Muzammil Murtaza bt Ahmad Nael Qureshi and Saqib Hayat 6-1, 7-5; Barkatullah & Yousaf Khalil bt Abdullah Adnan & Saifullah Khan 6-3 6-4.

Junior 18 & Under singles (quarter-finals): Muhammad Salar bt Junaid Khan 6-1 6-2, Abdul Basit bt Haziq Arejo 6-0, 6-1, Haziq Aasim bt Talha Khan 6-1 6-3, Muhammad Yahya bt Rayyan Khan Khalil 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Boys 14 & Under Singles (semi-finals): Shayaan Afridi bt Rashid Ali 4-1, 3-5(3), 4-1. Girls 12 & Under singles (final): Khadija Khalil bt Umer Shahnoor 4-1, 4-0.

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