ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): The Men’s Singles Round of 32 and Men’s Doubles-Round of 16 of the Pakistan ATP Challenger Cup were held here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Tuesday.
A total of 25 international players from Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Australia, Italy, Bulgaria, Austria, Sweden, Georgia, Great Britain, and Switzerland, along with 10 top Pakistani players, are participating in this prestigious event.
This marks a historic moment, as the tournament is being held in Pakistan for the very first time.
Elias Ymer of Sweden, currently ranked 169 in the ATP World/PIF rankings, is the top seed, while Jay Clarke of Great Britain, ranked 213, is the second seed of the tournament.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), expressed his pleasure and pride on this landmark achievement. He said that after extensive and dedicated efforts, the ATP has finally granted Pakistan the opportunity to host this event.
“In my entire career, I have always played this tournament outside Pakistan. Today, I am fortunate and proud to play it in my own country,” said Qureshi.
He thanked the ATP for its support and warmly welcomed all participating players to Pakistan, adding that this is also a great opportunity for local players to gain ATP points.
The PTF Secretary General also highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting that hosting an ATP event in Pakistan for the first time is a major achievement for the Federation. He added that this tournament provides an
excellent opportunity for Pakistani players to compete at a higher level and earn valuable ranking points.
In Men’s Singles-Round of 32, Mert Alkaya (TUR) beat Samir Iftikhar (PAK) 6-2, 6-2; Dinko Dinev (BUL) beat Aqeel Khan (PAK) 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1; Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) beat Yousaf Khalil (PAK) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; Nikita Bilozertsev (UKR) beat Saba Purtseladze (GEO) 6-2, 3-0 (Retired); Gian Luca Tanner (SUI) beat Alexey Aleshchev 6-1, 6-3; Denis Yevseyev (KAZ) beat Ivan Gretskiy 7-6(7), 6-3; Leo Borg (SWE) beat Matthias Ujvary (AUT) 6-2, 6-4; Dragos Nicolae Cazacu (ROU) beat Preston Brown (USA) 7-6(2), 6-4; Zach Stephens (GBR) beat Gokberk Saritas (TUR) 6-1, 6-0; Johan Nikles (SUI) beat Adrian Arcon (AUS) 6-1, 6-1.
In Men’s Doubles-Round of 16, Nikita Bilozertsev (UKR), Preston Brown (USA) beat Hamaza Roman (PAK), Abubakar Talha (PAK) 6-2, 7-5.