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.
February 10, 2022: The Islamabad Tennis Association is pleased to inform you that ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championships moved into the finals stage at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad.
5th Seed Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) struggled hard to win his semi-final against unseeded Nikita Bortnichek from Russia in an exciting three-set match. In the first set, both the players held their respective serves till 6-6 and the set was decided in a tie break, which Abhan won by taking the early break in the tie break at 7-2. In the second set, Nikita changed the pattern of the game and broke the 8th game of Abhan to take the lead 5-3 and then played some excellent shots down the line to hold the service and levelled the match 1-1 set all. In the final set, both the players played excellent long rallies; after losing the 3rd game of the final set, Abzhan came back aggressively and did not allow his opponent to settle down and placed a couple of aces in the set and finally broke the 6th game of Nikita and by holding the 7th game, took the lead 5-2. In the 9th game, Abhan played some excellent cross-court shots to confirm a place in the final. In the second Semi-final, Ivan Iutking of Russia played excellent tennis throughout the match and his opponent from Poland Maciej Zarebski was unable to match his excellence. The match lasted 59 minutes.
In the Girl’s event; Top seed Andra Izabella Sirbu of Romania proved too good against her opponent 4th Seed Olga Sorochkina of Russia to seal a place in the final. She won the match 7-5,6-2. In the second semi-final, Tamara Ermakova of Russia beat Melisa Ugur of Turkey in a thrilling see-saw match which lasted 2 hrs 12 minutes 4-6, 6-1 7-5. Melisa Ugur (TUR) played a very measured and calculated game till 4-4 games all and broke the 10th game of Tamara to win the 1st set. In the second set, Tamara fought hard to draw level before Melisa regained control and took the set comfortably 6-1. The deciding set saw some exhilarating tennis as both the players reached 5-games all and then in the 12th game Tamara played some excellent shots and broke Melisa to seal her place in the final.
In the Boys Doubles; Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) caused a major upset to defeat top seed Iranian duo Amirali Ghavam and Yunes Talava in an exciting three sets encounter 6-4 4-6 10-7. In the second Semi-final, Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) & Aril Kayra Tuna (TUR) also upset the 2nd seed Russian pair of Ivan Iutkin and Nikita Safonov in a straight sets match 7-6(6) 7-5.
In the Girl’s Doubles; Munisa Ashurkekova (UZB) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) proved too good to Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Artina Gashi (GBR) in a one-sided affair 6-0 6-2.
Following are the results:
Boys Singles Semi-Finals
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Maciej Zarebski (POL) 6-2 6-1; Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) beat Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) 7-6(2) 3-6 6-3;
Girls Singles Semi-Finals
Abdra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) beat Olga Sorochkina (RUS) 7-5 6-2; Tamara Ermakova (RUS) beat Melisa Ugur (TUR) 4-6 6-1 7-5
The Pakistan Tennis Federation is pleased to inform you that the 1st PTF Coaching Advanced Players Course-2022, which commenced on 18th July and concluded on 29th July at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad, is yet another step towards practically improving the standard of coaches of advanced players in Pakistan.
A total of 24 candidates participated in the course, having met the ITF eligibility criteria of having successfully completed the ITF Coaching Beginners and Intermediate Players Course, being in the Pakistan Men’s/Women’s team, or having ITF/ATP/WTA points.
PTF National Development Director Mr. Asim Shafik, ITF Coaching High-Performance Players(Level 3) Certified coach, was the lead tutor of the course and was assisted by ITF Level 2 certified coaches Mr. Noman Ul Haq, Muhammad Nameer Shamsi and Sara Mansoor. The course attracted current and former Davis Cup players, young coaches, and seven Pakistani coaches working abroad.
This was the first ever CAP Course being organized in Pakistan, and would eventually lead to PTF’s Coach Education being recognized by the ITF at the Silver level. Currently, Pakistan is at the Bronze level.
Mr. Salim Saifullah khan conveyed a special message on the successful conclusion of this very important Coaching Course. He congratulated the participants and hoped that such a professional coaching course will enhance their capacities and capabilities to impart training to the young players. He also appreciated the efforts of Mr. Asim Shafik for the successful conduct of the course for the first time in Islamabad. which has been recognized and praised highly by the ITF.
The President-PTF also lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Airforce Sports Control Committee and Midcourt for sponsoring the event.
Secretary-PTF and Squadron leader Naveed of PAF distributed the Certificates amongst the participants.