ITF Men’s Futures M-15 Tournament continues

ISLAMABAD, Apr 29 (APP):The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) is pleased to announce that the Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) tournament continued here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Wednesday.

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 Field 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.

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.

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.

Men’s Singles – 1st Round: Muhammad 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 – 1st Round: 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), Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) 6–4, 6–4.