Davis Cup by Rakuten: World Group-I Play-Off Tie – PAKISTAN BEAT LITHUANIA 3-2
Pakistan beat Lithuania 3-2 and remained in the World Group-I.
On the first day 4th March 2022, In Match 1, Pakistan No. Mr AQEEL KHAN beat Laurynas GRIGELIS by 7-6, 3-6, 6-3. In the 2nd Match, MUHAMMAD SHOAIB lost to RICARDAS BERANKIS by 4-6, 7-6, 4-6.
On the second day, Pakistan doubles team Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan defeated the Lithuanian duo of Ricardas Berankis and Laurynas Gricelis in an exciting and well-contested three-set match 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5, building a 2-1 lead in the tie. In the first reverse singles, the number one player of the Pakistan Team Aqeel Khan played against World No.86 Ricardas Berankis. Ricardas beat Aqeel Khan in the best match of the day in three thrilling sets 7-6(4), 6-7(6) 6-4 to level the tie 2-all. In the deciding match, Pakistan Team changed the nomination and playing captain Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi decided to play the final match against the World Junior No.8 Edas Butvilas. Aisam was in fine touch and displayed a world-class serve and volley game and beat him in straight-set 6-4 7-6(2).
Mr Salim Saifullah Khan President-PTF felicitated the Pakistan team on their thrilling win.
February 17, 2022: ITF Pakistan – Elaan – Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial World Junior Tennis Championships moved into the finals phase after arduous tennis playing activity at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad.
In the first semi-final of Boys Singles, talented Mehmet Onur Turgut of Turkey was in fine touch and prevailed over Hasheesh Kumar of Pakistan. Both the players played a brilliant combination of down-the-line and cross-court shots from the baseline till the score reached 5-5 all by holding their own serves but in the 11th game, Turgut fought bravely and was able to break the game of Hasheesh Kumar and built up the winning lead 6-5 and then in the 12th game Turgut wrapped up the set 7-5. In the second set, Turgut started the set aggressively and broke the first game of Hasheeh Kumar, and built up a winning lead of 3-1. 5th game of Kumar was the longest game of the set which was marked by long rallies and crosscourt shots and Kumar reduced the lead to 3-2. At this stage, Turgut changed the pace of the game and broke the 9th game of Kumar to seal his position in the Boys Singles final by winning the match 7-5 6-3. The match lasted 1 hr 51 minutes.
Unseeded Ivan Iutkin of Russia continued his winning pace and confirmed his position for the final by defeating the 3rd seed Sherazhetdinov Ruslan of Russia in a straight-set win 6-3 6-3.
In the first semi-final of girls Singles top-seeded, Romania Andra Izabella Sirbu whitewashed her opponent, Seo Hyeon Park of Korea, without conceding a single game 6-0 6-0 and will vie for the top honour to play the final of girls singles. In the second semi-final, unseeded Korean Sa Rang Lim outclassed 8th seed Chsherbakova Tatyana of Kazakhstan in a straight-set win 6-2 6-0.
In the first doubles semi-final, Semi Zeb Khan & Hasheesh Kumar of Pakistan moved into the final with imposing victories over their opponents to beat 4th seed duo from Bortnichek Nikita of Russia and Kanbargimath Dev of Romania in a straight-set 6-4 6-0 by playing high calibre and remarkable tennis. In the second semi-final top seed, Talavar Yunes of Iran and Tuna Arial Kayra of Turkey struggled hard to win their battle against Pakistani duo Muhammad Talha Khan and Muhammad Huzaifa Khan in a thrilling two-set match. Iranian and Turkish pairs played aggressive and took a lead of 1-0 after winning the first set at 6-4. In the second set, both the teams played excellent tennis and by holding their respective serves reached 5-5 games. Talavar and Tuna played consistent tennis and broke the 11th game of Huzaifa to build up the winning lead 6-5 and in the 12th game Tuna served excellent and did not allow their opponent to stay in the match and wind up 7-5. The match lasted 1 hr 5 minutes.
In the Girls Doubles event; unseeded Eunsoo Lee (KOR) & Sa Rang Lim (KOR) made the major upset by beating the top seed in a straight-set and other unseeded pair Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Tatyana Chsherbakova (KAZ) beat the second seed in a well-contested three sets match.
Following are the results:
Boys Singles (Semi-Finals)
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Ruslan Serazhetdinow (RUS) 6-3 6-3; Mehmet Onur Turgut (TUR) beat Hasheesh Kumar (PAK) 7-5 6-3.
Girls Singles (Semi-Finals)
Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) beat Seo Hyeon Park (KOR) 6-0 6-0; Sa Rang Lim (KOR) beat Tatyana Chsherbakova 6-2 6-0.
Boys Doubles (Semi-Finals)
Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) & Haseesh Kumar (PAK) beat Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Dev Kanbargimatch (ROU) 6-4 6-0; Yunes Talavar (IRI) & Aril Kayra Tuna (TUR) beat Muhammad Talha Khan (PAK) & Muhammad Huzaifa Khan (PAK) 6-4 7-5.
Girls Doubles (Semi-Finals)
Eunsoo Lee (KOR) & Sa Rang Lim (KOR) beat Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) 7-5 6-3; Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Tatyana Chsherbakova (KAZ) beat Munisa Ashurbekova (UZB) & Olga Sorochkina (RUS) 5-7 6-1 13-11.