PROVINCE REPORT
LAHORE: Pakistan’s top tennis players Barkat Ullah and Muhammad Shoaib have qualified for the men’s singles final of the 10th Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship being held at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy, Nishtar Park, Lahore.
In the men’s singles semifinals, Barkat Ullah defeated Mudassar Murtaza in a closely contested match, winning both sets 7-6, 7-6. Muhammad Shoaib secured his place in the final by overcoming Yousaf Khalil 6-3, 6-4.
In the ladies’ singles semifinals, Ushna Sohail defeated Esha Jawad 6-2, 6-2, while Meheq Khokhar beat Bismal Zia 6-4, 6-0 to book their places in the final.
A historic achievement was recorded in the men’s doubles as father-son duo Talha Waheed and Abubakar Talha qualified for the final of a national championship, marking a rare milestone in Pakistan’s tennis history. They edged past Muhammad Shoaib and Mudassar Murtaza 7-6, 6-7, 11-9 in a thrilling encounter decided by a match tiebreak.
In the other men’s doubles semifinal, Barkat Ullah and Yousaf Khalil defeated Huzaifa Khan and Talha Khan 6-1, 6-0.
In the girls’ U-12 quarterfinals, Eman Shahbaz defeated Zara Aidrus 4-0, 4-1, while Shahreen Umer overcame Aimal Tariq by the same score. Shahnoor Umer also advanced after beating Umm-e-Aiman 4-0, 4-2.
The ladies’ doubles quarterfinals saw Fajar Fayyaz and Esha Rabbi defeat Sania Zahra and Aqsa Akram 6-1, 6-4. Bismal Zia and Khadija Khalil also registered a convincing 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ayesha Shahid and Anaya Baig.
The seniors’ events also produced competitive encounters. In the 55-plus doubles semifinal, Saleem and Shahdab defeated Ahsan Razzaq and Col Waqar 7-5, 6-0. In the 60-plus category, Saleem and Dr Mushtaq overcame Waqar Nisar and Inam-ul-Haq 7-5, 6-3 to secure their place in the final.
