Pakistan’s Abubakar, Zohaib grab titles in 1st Qatar Asian Junior 14&U

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Pakistan’s young tennis players Abubakar Talha and Zohaib Afzal Malik have emerged as the champions in both singles and doubles events at the 1st Qatar Asian Junior 14&U Tennis Championship held in Doha, Qatar.

In a thrilling 14&U boys doubles final, Pakistani duo of Abubakar (representing Wapda and SA Gardens) and Zohaib (SA Gardens) showcased remarkable skill and determination against Kazakhstan’s Ansar Niyetkaliyev and Zhantore Sanzharuly. The closely contested match lasted over two hours and unfolded with a score of 5-7, 6-3, 11-9. The Kazakhstan pair faced stern resistance from their Pakistani counterparts, taking the first set 7-5.

The Pakistani pair mounted a remarkable comeback, capturing the second set 6-3. The decisive showdown occurred in the third set, where both teams displayed exceptional skills. The score remained neck and neck, ranging from 6-6 to 9-9. However, the Pakistani pair maintained their composure and executed a superior game plan to secure the next two points, ultimately clinching the set in a thrilling super tiebreak at 11-9, and the title in stunning fashion.

Zohaib Afzal Malik, a student of LGS Phase V DHA, expressed his gratitude to his coach, Muhammad Khalid, and his trainer, Arshad Javed, for their invaluable coaching and training. He also gave credit to Ace Tennis Academy for improving his game and skills that he recently learnt at the academy’s High Performance Camp arranged by Aisam Qureshi with coach Lalu.

He also extended his appreciation to his family, sponsors SA Gardens and well-wishers for their support, prayers and best wishes, which he considers essential for his continued progress on the international stage. Zohaib’s determination and commitment drive him to redouble his efforts, aspiring to reach even greater heights in his tennis career.

In the 14&U singles final, Abubakar Talha, a student at FG Abid Majeed School, exhibited exceptional prowess against Kazakhstan’s Dias Tulepbergenov, securing the title with a score of 6-3, 7-5.

Tennis icon Aisam ul Haq Qureshi expressed his pride, saying, “By the grace of Almighty, the Ace Tennis Academy players are not only dominating the national junior tennis circuit but have also begun performing well on the international/Asian junior circuit. I am immensely proud of our players, Abubakar Talha and Zohaib Afzal Malik, for their remarkable victory in the ATF Grade 2 boys 14&U doubles category in Doha, following Abubakar Talha’s singles triumph.”

Aisam continued, “Furthermore, Ace Tennis Academy players Bilal Asim, Ahtesham Humayun, Shayan Afridi clinched the boys’ singles U-18, U-16, and U-12 titles at the Aitchison College National Boys event, while Hamza Ali Rizwan secured the boys U-14 doubles title.”

President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), Mr. Salim Saifullah Khan, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Abubakar Talha and Zohaib Afzal Malik for their outstanding performance that led to their victories in the singles and doubles ATF 14&U categories. He described it as a well-deserved triumph that has brought great honor to the nation.

Now, the tennis community is calling upon the President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation to extend an invitation to these ATF medal winners upon their return and celebrate their achievements in a groundbreaking fashion.

Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid - Editor Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid joins "To The Sports News" as an Editor, bringing a decade of comprehensive journalistic experience to our team. A respected Pakistani journalist, he has dedicated his career to covering a wide array of global issues across the world, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex subjects and a commitment to detailed reporting. Mr. Wahid has a background working with prominent print and electronic media organizations, including Channel Five TV, the newspaper "Khabrain," The Nation/Nawa-i-Waqt, NNI, Daily Sama, City 42, Star Asia, Waqt News, Daily The Business, and Daily The Khabrain. His work has covered areas such as Environment, Health, and Sports. He is also a member of the Lahore Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ), highlighting his dedication to journalistic standards and diverse reporting. His academic background includes a BS Honors degree in Sociology and an MPhil from Punjab University, alongside a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sargodha. Furthermore, Mr. Wahid is a Ph.D. candidate in Journalism at Complutense University of Madrid, and has contributed to research on topics including the relationship of sports participation with achievement, motivation, and innovation traits among university students, and the effects of parental involvement on student participation in sports. With his extensive experience in covering diverse topics and his keen analytical skills, Mr. Azhar ul Haq Wahid is poised to lead our sports news coverage with depth, accuracy, and insightful perspectives, ensuring our readers receive top-tier journalistic content.

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