ISLAMABAD (GNP): Iran claimed the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group III (B) crown with a 2–0 victory over hosts Pakistan in the final, played at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex on Garden Avenue.
Pakistan’s two singles players competed hard throughout their matches, but the Iranians were the stronger side on the day and took the title.
Syeda Amana Batool, Member of the National Assembly, was chief guest at the closing ceremony, with PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi as guest of honour. PTF Secretary General Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail and Pakistan Women Tennis Association President Asma Khawar Khawaja were among those in attendance. The guests handed out prizes to the participating teams and players.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, also came to the PTF Tennis Complex, where he met members of the Iranian squad and watched the matches.
Addressing the gathering, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi congratulated Iran on the victory and praised the Pakistani team for the fight it showed in the final. He said he was pleased that the event had been staged successfully in Pakistan for the first time, calling it a landmark moment for the growth of women’s international tennis in the country.
Results
Final: Iran beat Pakistan 2–0
- Yasaman Yazdani (Iran) d. Ushna Suhail (Pakistan) 6–3, 6–4
- Meshkatolzahra Safi (Iran) d. Mahin Aftab Qureshi (Pakistan) 6–4, 6–4
Third-place play-off: Jordan beat Maldives 2–0
- Anna Abualhaj (Jordan) d. Nayara Usama Ali (Maldives) 7–6(4), 6–4
- Noor Sayej (Jordan) d. Aishath Karin Saizan (Maldives) 6–3, 6–7(4), 6–0
Fifth-place play-off: Qatar beat Bhutan 2–0
- Khadija Gassama (Qatar) d. Kinley Yangden (Bhutan) 6–3, 6–0
- Hind Almudahka (Qatar) d. Tenzin Wangsel Lhaden (Bhutan) 4–6, 6–3, 6–0
Seventh-place play-off: Kuwait advanced by walkover against Bahrain.
The tournament brought together women’s national teams from across the Asia/Oceania region and gave the participating players valuable international match experience. The PTF reiterated its commitment to developing women’s tennis and bringing more international events to Pakistan.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
