Ahmad Nael Qureshi and Abu Bakar Talha win Men’s Doubles match against Russian pair 2-1
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top national tennis player, Mohammad Shoaib moved into the second round of the ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) after thrashing Edoardo Cherie Ligniere from Italy in straight sets 2-0 here at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex on Wednesday. The final score-line was 6–1, 6–3.
Mohammad Shoaib displayed aggressive tennis and did not allow his opponent to settle his feet on the court, as the game of the local guy was laced with powerful forehand and backhand drives with the classic drop shots and volleys. Mohammad Shoaib finished the first set after losing a solitary game at 6-1.
Meanwhile, in the second set, Mohammad Shoaib exhibited brilliant tennis despite facing some resistance from his Italian challenger Lignere, who won three games of the set. Mohammad Shoaib ended the second set at 6-3 to confirm his berth in the second round of an international tennis showpiece.
A total of 70 men’s players from 23 countries are participating in this prestigious international event. The participating nations included hosts Pakistan, Kuwait, Russia, Uzbekistan, Sweden, Australia, Malaysia, Great Britain, Italy, Lithuania, China, Turkey, Algeria, Canada, USA, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong, Nepal, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Japan.
It is pertinent to note here that the top seed of the tournament is Leo Borg of Sweden, currently ranked ATP 483, while the second seed is Samir Hamza Reguig of Algeria, holding an ATP ranking of 844.
Later on, in the Men’s Doubles, the young Pakistani pair Abubakar Talha and Ahmad Nael Qureshi delivered an impressive performance, showing great coordination and confidence throughout the match. After dropping a tight first set, the duo fought back strongly to take control of the contest with aggressive and composed tennis. They ultimately secured a well-earned victory over their opponents with a score of 5–7, 6–2, 10–5, advancing to the next round.
Results:
Men’s Singles (Round=1):
Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (ITA) 6–1, 6–3
Darrshan Suresh (MAS) beat Melih Anavatan (TUR) 6–4, 6–3
Arvid Nordquist (SWE) beat Carl Holder (GBR) 6–4, 7–6 (7–0)
Barkatullah (PAK) beat Yousaf Khalil (PAK) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
Samir Hamza Reguig (ALG) beat Andrei Kunitsyn (RUS) 7–5, 2–6, 7–6 (4)
Alexey Dubinin (RUS) beat Adam Bajurko (POL) 6–3, 6–3
Leo Borg (SWE) beat Aqeel Khan (PAK) 7-6 (4), 6-3
Mert Naci Türker (TUR) beat Stevan Popovic (GER) 6–7 (5), 7–6 (5), 7–6 (3)
Men’s Doubles (Round-1):
Ahmad Nael Qureshi (PAK) / Abu Bakar Talha (PAK) beat Egor Khotchenkov / Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) 5–7, 6–2, (10–5)
Essa Qabazard (KUW) / Darrshan Suresh (MAS) beat Arkhip Kozlov (RUS) / Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 7–5, 6–3
Aqeel Khan (PAK) / Barkat Khan (PAK) beat Adam Bajurko (POL) / Lawrence Bataljin (AUS) 6–0, 6–1
Adam Farag-Cao (CAN) / Carl Holder (GBR) beat Nikita Ianin / Andrei Kunitsyn (RUS) 3–6, 7–6 (3), 10–6
Tugra Duran (TUR) / Mert Naci Türker (TUR) beat Yousaf Khalil (PAK) / Mohammad Shoaib (PAK) 6–4, 6–4
