Islamabad (GNP): Unseeded Pakistan pair of Hassan Usmani and Haziq Asim clinched the boys’ doubles title of the J-60 Bard Foundation Junior World Tennis Championships here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Sunday.
In the final, Hassan and Haziq defeated the top-seeded Pakistan duo of Hamza Roman and Ahtesham Humayun 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 to win the title.
Meanwhile, the Russian pair of Varvara Rubtsova and Evelina Dzepa downed the Chinese duo of Meimei Hu and Yijia Wang 6-0, 2-6, 10-5 to lift the girls’ doubles trophy.
Pakistan’s Muhammad Hassan Usmani and Muhammad Haziq Asim claimed the boys’ doubles title, while Russia’s Varvara Rubtsova and Evelina Dzepa captured the girls’ crown as the J-60 Bard Foundation Junior World Tennis Championships Islamabad-2026 concluded at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex.
The unseeded Pakistani combination produced an impressive display in the boys’ final, overcoming top seeds Hamza Roman and Ahtesham Humayun 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 in a closely contested encounter. Their victory capped a memorable campaign and brought the home contingent a major title at the international junior event.
In the girls’ doubles final, Russian pair Rubtsova and Dzepa recovered from a second-set setback to defeat China’s Meimei Hu and Yijia Wang 6-0, 2-6, 10-5, securing the championship after an absorbing contest.
All-Pakistan Final
The boys’ doubles final became an all-Pakistan affair after Pakistan pairs of Ahtesham Humayun and Hamza Roman, and Mohammad Haziq Asim and Mohammad Hassan Usmani qualified for the final on Thursday.
The Ahtesham-Hamza duo defeated the Chinese pair of Aolun Ma and Haoxuan Xu 6-3, 6-4 in their semi-final while Haziq and Hassan overcame Sri Lanka’s Aahil Kaleel and Amir Mazari of Pakistan 6-1, 6-4 to reach the final.
Hassan Usmani and Haziq Asim captured the title beating the fancied local pair at the PTF Complex courts on Sunday.
International Field in Islamabad
The championship featured 58 boys and girls, 36 boys and 22 girls, from 14 countries, including Pakistan, Russia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belarus and Sweden.
The championship brought together 58 promising junior players, comprising 36 boys and 22 girls, representing 14 countries: Russia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belarus, Sweden and Pakistan.
The championship is sponsored by the Bard Foundation, whose generous support is playing a significant role in promoting and developing junior tennis in Pakistan.
The ITF J-60 event drew players from China, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Egypt, and other countries, giving Pakistani juniors rare exposure against different playing styles and strategies. Organizers said the tournament helped local players gain international ranking points and experience while showcasing Pakistan’s ability to host global junior events.The PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad provided world-class facilities for the week-long championship, with well-maintained clay courts and smooth scheduling that allowed all matches to conclude on time.
Closing Ceremony
Ms. Amina Rehman, Executive Director, Bard Foundation, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Tufail Cheema, Secretary-General, Islamabad Tennis Association, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The event provided Pakistan’s young players with an excellent opportunity to gain international exposure and experience at a high level.
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The tournament marked an important milestone in Pakistan’s junior tennis calendar as it provided young players with ITF ranking points and valuable exposure against competitors from 14 countries. Matches were played at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad, which drew families, coaches and fans to witness the next generation of talent in action. The close contests in both finals reflected the high standard of play and the competitive spirit shown throughout the week.
Pakistan’s strong presence in the doubles draw was a major highlight, with two home pairs meeting in the boys’ final and another pairing advancing to the semi-finals. The run underlined the progress being made at the grassroots level and the effectiveness of training programs supported by the Pakistan Tennis Federation and the Bard Foundation. For Hassan and Haziq, the victory will boost their confidence and ranking as they continue their journey on the junior circuit.
Organizers thanked the Bard Foundation for its continued support in developing junior tennis in Pakistan and creating pathways for young athletes to compete internationally at home. They also praised the players for their discipline, sportsmanship and commitment throughout the championship. The successful hosting of the event has set the stage for more international junior tournaments in Pakistan in the coming seasons.
Home Title for Junior Tennis
The title victory for Hassan and Haziq highlights the growing talent in Pakistan’s junior tennis circuit and the impact of international events hosted in Islamabad.
With three Pakistan players reaching the singles quarter-finals and five qualifying for the doubles semi-finals during the tournament, the championships showcased the depth of emerging talent in the country.
The success of the J-60 Bard Foundation Junior World Tennis Championships underscores the importance of continued investment in junior development to produce future champions.
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