Shoaib outclasses Italy’s Ligniere to set up McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship final clash
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan’s tennis sensation, Muhammad Shoaib, continued his meteoric rise on the international circuit by storming into the men’s singles final of the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 (ITF M-15 Leg-2).
In a clinical display of power and precision at the PTF Tennis Complex on Saturday, Shoaib dismantled Italy’s Edoardo Cherie Ligniere to keep the home crowd’s hopes of a title alive.
Shoaib, who has been in the form of his life, secured a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over his Italian counterpart. From the opening serve, the Pakistani ace dictated the tempo, utilizing aggressive baseline rallies and a high first-serve percentage to leave Ligniere struggling for answers. The victory was a testament to Shoaib’s growing confidence, as he transitioned seamlessly from defense to offense, thrilling the local spectators with a flurry of winners.
With this win, Shoaib has achieved a historic milestone in Pakistan tennis. He becomes the first local player since the legendary Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi to reach back-to-back finals of an ITF professional event. This feat underscores a new era for Pakistan’s singles tennis, signaling Shoaib’s readiness to compete at the highest professional tiers.
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), alongside Secretary Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail and the PTF management, extended their warmest congratulations to Shoaib. They lauded his discipline and technical prowess, wishing him success for the upcoming championship match.
Speaking to the media post-match, a jubilant Shoaib remarked: “I am incredibly happy with my current rhythm. I feel I am playing some of my best tennis right now. InshaAllah, I will put in my maximum effort to secure the trophy tomorrow. I am also deeply grateful to the PTF for hosting these M-15 tournaments; such international exposure is vital for the growth of local players.”
In the men’s doubles category, the Russian duo of Andrei Kunitsyn and Nikita Ianin showcased exceptional chemistry to lift the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 Leg-2 title.
They dominated the first set and held their nerve in a tense second-set tiebreak to overcome the Turkish pair of Mert Naci Turker and Melih Anavatan.
