Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is pleased to announce that the Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) tournament continued at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.
This tournament is being organised in memory of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, a respected former tennis player of the subcontinent, in recognition of his valuable contributions to the sport and his lasting legacy in regional tennis history.
Iftikhar holds the unique distinction of being the one and only player to be ranked No. 1 in pre-1947 India and subsequently No. 1 in Pakistan for a decade in the post-independence era. In recognition of his outstanding services to the sport, he was awarded the Presidential Medal “Pride of Performance” in 1964 by Filed Marshall Ayub Khan.
A total of 70 men’s players from 23 countries are participating in this prestigious international event. The participating nations include 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.
Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1)
Moreover, 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.
Also Read: ITF Men’s Futures M-15 Tournament Sees Massive Success Now
On Day 2 of the main draw, Pakistani players delivered strong performances as Muhammad Shoaib and Barkatullah both secured important victories to advance into the next round of the Men’s Singles event.
Shoaib continued his solid form with a composed win, while Barkatullah showed great determination to overcome his opponent and move forward in the draw, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive in the singles competition.
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 and further highlighting the rise of emerging talent in Pakistan’s junior tennis scene.
ITF Men’s Futures M-15 Tournament Results:
Men’s Singles: 1st Round
Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) bt Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (ITA) 6–1, 6–3
Darrshan Suresh (MAS) bt Melih Anavatan (TUR) 6–4, 6–3
Arvid Nordquist (SWE) bt Carl Holder (GBR) 6–4, 7–6(7–0)
Barkatullah (PAK) bt Yousaf Khalil (PAK) 1-6,6-4,6-2
Samir Hamza Reguig (ALG) bt Andrei Kunitsyn (RUS) 7–5, 2–6, 7–6(4)
Alexey Dubinin (RUS) bt Adam Bajurko (POL) 6–3, 6–3
Leo Borg (SWE) bt Aqeel Khan (PAK) 7-6(4), 6-3
Mert Naci Türker (TUR) bt Stevan Popovic (GER) 6–7 (5), 7–6 (5), 7–6 (3)
Men’s Doubles: 1st Round
Ahmad Nael Qureshi (PAK) / Abu Bakar Talha (PAK) bt Egor Khotchenkov / Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) 5–7, 6–2, (10–5)
Essa Qabazard (KUW) / Darrshan Suresh (MAS) bt Arkhip Kozlov (RUS) / Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 7–5, 6–3
Aqeel Khan (PAK) / Barkat Khan (PAK) bt Adam Bajurko (POL) / Lawrence Bataljin (AUS) 6–0, 6–1
Adam Farag-Cao (CAN) / Carl Holder (GBR) bt Nikita Ianin / Andrei Kunitsyn (RUS) 3–6, 7–6(3), 10–6
Tugra Duran (TUR) / Mert Naci Türker (TUR) bt Yousaf Khalil (PAK) / Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) 6–4, 6–4
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.
