PARIS: A generational shift officially locked into place on Court Philippe Chatrier on Saturday as 19-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva dismantled fairytale qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 to capture the 2026 French Open women’s singles title.

With her maiden Grand Slam victory, the eighth-seeded Russian did more than just fulfill the immense promise of her prodigy years—she carved her name into the history books. Andreeva is now the youngest woman to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen since the legendary Monica Seles won her third consecutive Paris title in 1992, signaling the arrival of a devastating new force capable of challenging the elite tier of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff.

The final brought together two first-time Grand Slam finalists, played out under heavy, unpredictable winds that demanded technical discipline. While Chwalinska’s miraculous, nine-match win streak from the qualifying rounds had captured the world’s imagination over the past fortnight, the final belonged entirely to Andreeva’s raw power and tactical evolution.

As the pressure mounted, Chwalinska’s trademark slice-and-dice variety began to desert her. Andreeva, showing maturity far beyond her 19 years, simply adjusted her hitting depths, pierced through the wind with heavy baseline groundstrokes, and choked out the Pole’s rhythm.

The match began as a highly tense, high-stakes psychological battle. Chwalinska, attempting to become only the second qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title after Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open miracle, survived a grueling, marathon opening service game. The 24-year-old Pole desperately fought off three break points with a gutsy blend of delicate drop shots and aggressive line-painting.

Nerves initially plagued both sides, resulting in a chaotic trade of service breaks. Andreeva choked away a game with a pair of double faults, while Chwalinska’s forehand began to break down under heavy weight.

The turning point came at 3-3. Andreeva began finding spectacular depth off both wings, forcing Chwalinska well behind the baseline. The teenager was so locked into a positive headspace that she even smiled off a routine overhead smash error. Moments later, she broke Chwalinska for a 4-3 lead, consolidated clinically, and broke once more to pocket the first set.

The second set was a procession of dominance. Carrying total momentum, Andreeva suffocated Chwalinska’s defense, breaking immediately and sprinting to a commanding 4-0 lead.

Though Chwalinska displayed immense grit to claw back one break and bring the score to 5-2, Andreeva remained completely unflinching.

The Russian teenager sealed the historic championship on Chwalinska’s serve, firing a crisp, blistering crosscourt backhand winner to spark wild celebrations.

The triumph nets Andreeva a life-changing $3.22 million winner’s check. Despite the heartbreak, Chwalinska leaves Paris with $1.61 million—effectively doubling her entire career earnings—and a massive ranking surge to World No. 21.

While the women’s draw crowned a new queen, the men’s doubles final was a masterclass in veteran continuity. Top seeds Marcel Granollers (Spain) and Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) successfully retained their French Open crown, dismissing the challenge of Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten 6-4, 6-2.

The dominant victory secured their third Grand Slam title as a duo and completed a flawless, flawless 2026 Roland Garros campaign in which they did not drop a single set.

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LAHORE: Pakistan’s emerging tennis talent Abubakar Talha and his father, Talha Waheed, one of the country’s leading ITF senior players, produced a memorable performance to secure a place in the men’s doubles final of the All Pakistan Juniors/Seniors National Ranking Tennis Championship 2026 being held at Sahiwal Club.

In one of the tournament’s most inspiring stories, the father-son combination displayed remarkable chemistry, composure and skill to overcome the challenge of Suleman Junaid and M. Yahya in straight sets 6-3, 7-5.

The unique partnership of Talha Waheed and his son Abubakar has attracted considerable attention throughout the event, highlighting a rare blend of experience and youthful energy.

Their victory not only earned them a place in the final but also provided one of the standout moments of the championship. They will now face Abdul Basit and Waqar Ahmad in the title decider. Basit/Waqar fought back strongly after losing the opening set to defeat M Mazhar and Hassaan Shaukat 2-6, 6-1, 10-4 in the other semifinal.

In the seniors 55+ doubles final, the experienced pair of Rashid Malik and Arif Feroze delivered a commanding performance to defeat Khurram Imtiaz and Fayyaz Nazir in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to capture the title. In the seniors 45+ doubles semifinals, Rashid Malik and Aqeel Khan outclassed Bilal Ahmad Kahloo and Moeed Zafar Dogar with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory. In the second semifinal, Talha Waheed and Hassan Saeed staged a strong comeback after dropping the opening set to overcome Yousaf Khan and Nazir Ahmad 3-6, 6-3, 10-2, setting up an eagerly anticipated final.

The men’s singles competition also reached its decisive stage, with Ahtesham Humayun and Imran Bhatti advancing to the final. Ahtesham defeated Hassaan Shaukat 6-3, 6-3 in a composed semifinal display, while Imran Bhatti secured his place in the title clash after overcoming Asad Zaman 6-1, 7-6 in a hard-fought encounter.

Ahtesham Humayun continued his outstanding run by clinching the boys U-18 Singles title with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Abdul Basit. In the girls U-18 singles final, Bismal Zia fought back after losing the first set to defeat Khadija Khalil 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and lift the championship trophy. Ahtesham also partnered with M. Yahya to secure the boys U-18 doubles title, defeating Rashid Ali Bachani and Shayan Afridi 6-3, 6-1.

In the younger age-group categories, Shayan Afridi won the boys U-14 singles title, while Khadija Khalil claimed the girls U-14 crown. M. Muaz and M. Ayan emerged victorious in the boys U-14 doubles event.

In the U-12 competitions, M. Ayan captured the boys’ singles title, Shahnoor Umer won the girls’ singles crown, and Salaar Khan and M. Faizan triumphed in the boys’ doubles final. Meanwhile, Musa Pirzada secured the boys/girls U-10 Singles title with a 6-2 victory over Ibrahim Leghari.

The championship will conclude on Sunday with the men’s singles, men’s doubles and seniors 45+ doubles finals, promising an exciting finish to the national event.

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LAHORE: The All Pakistan Juniors/Seniors National Ranking Tennis Championship 2026 continued in full swing at Sahiwal Club, with players producing impressive performances across various categories, including men’s singles, doubles, senior events, and junior age-group competitions on Thursday.

In the men’s singles pre-quarterfinals, top contenders advanced comfortably as Hassaan Shaukat defeated Atta Rabi 6-1, 6-1, while Ahtesham Humayun overcame Zakir Ullah 6-2, 6-2. Suleman Junaid outclassed Waqar Ahmad 6-0, 6-1, and Imran Bhatti registered a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory against Dr. Ali Nawaz. Asad Zaman beat M. Zubair 6-2, 6-3, while M. Yahya cruised past M. Subhan 6-1, 6-1. In the most closely contested encounter of the round, Mazhar edged Abdul Basit 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.

The men’s doubles pre-quarterfinals also witnessed convincing wins. Abu Bakar Talha and Talha Waheed blanked Anas Khan and Ilyas Khan 6-0, 6-0. Hamza Naeem and Imran Bhatti staged a comeback to defeat Haroon Masood and Huzaifa Asif 5-7, 6-4, 10-7. Abdul Basit and Waqar Ahmad defeated M. Subhan and M. Swati 6-2, 6-3, while Ahtesham Humayun and Asad Zaman outplayed Rizwan and Husnain 6-1, 6-1.

In the seniors 45+ doubles pre-quarterfinals, Yousaf Khan and Nazir Ahmad defeated Muneer and Wajahat 6-1, 6-2. Bilal Ahmad Kahloo and Moeed Zafar Dogar beat Sajid Bukhari and Ch. Khalil 6-3, 6-2, while Rashid and Rizwan overcame Khurram Imtiaz and Fayyaz Nazir in a hard-fought match, winning 4-6, 7-6, 10-5.

The seniors 55+ doubles quarterfinals saw Rashid Malik and Arif Feroze dominate Asif Masud and Rana Rauf 6-1, 6-1. Mian Naveed and Tanveer Haral defeated Syed Azhar and Muzamil Sattar 6-3, 6-2, while Khurram Imtiaz and Fayyaz Nazir outclassed Sheikh Naveed and Dr. Michael Ansari 6-4, 6-0.

In the boys U-18 quarterfinals, Ahtesham Humayun defeated Aliyan Ali 6-2, 6-2, M. Yahya overcame M. Muaz 6-2, 6-0, and Abdul Basit blanked Haseeb Mustafa 6-0, 6-0. The boys U-14 quarterfinals produced several one-sided contests. M. Muaz defeated Hasham Sher Chadhar 4-0, 4-0, while M. Ibrahim Hussain Gill beat Aliyan Ali 4-1, 5-3. M. Ayan outplayed Behroze Memon 4-0, 4-0, and Shayan Afridi rallied from a set down to defeat Rashid Ali Bachani 2-4, 4-1, 4-0.

In the boys U-12 pre-quarterfinals, M. Aayan defeated Ishfan Memon 4-0, 4-0, Majid Ali Bachani beat Mustafa Zia 4-0, 4-1, and Ashtar Alam overcame Ruhan Dogar 4-0, 4-0. Behroze Memon defeated Riyan Omer Khalil 4-2, 4-2, while M. Faizan edged Salman Pirzada 4-2, 1-4, 5-3. M. Daniyal beat Wali M. Hassaan 4-1, 4-1, Mustafa Uzair Rana defeated Musa Khan 4-0, 4-0, and M. Ibrahim Hussain Gill rallied to beat Salaar Khan 2-4, 4-1, 4-0.

The Boys/Girls Under-10 first round featured encouraging performances from the youngest competitors. Ishfan Memon defeated Faiz Pirzada 6-1, Hashir Mustafa beat Musa Khan 6-3, Eman Shahbaz routed Hunain Bhatti 6-0, and Musa Pirzada overcame Ali Asghar Leghari 6-0.

In the girls U-12 quarterfinals, Shahreen Umer defeated Wajeeha Fatima 4-2, 4-2, while Fatima Naqvi beat Anabya Ahmad 4-1, 4-2.

The girls U-14 quarterfinals saw Aleezay Maryam edge Shahnoor Umer 4-0, 5-4. Anaya Khan defeated Shahreen Umer 4-5, 4-1, 4-1, while Eman Shahbaz beat Wajeeha Fatima 4-1, 4-2. In the girls U-18 quarterfinals, Aleezay Maryam continued her impressive run with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Shahnoor Umer, while Khadija Khalil comfortably defeated Maryam Naqvi 6-1, 6-1.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The Punjab Lawn Tennis Association (PLTA) has officially lauded the management of the historic Sahiwal Club for its flawless execution of the All Pakistan Juniors/Seniors National Ranking Tennis Championship.

The governing body hailed the tournament as a monumental milestone that will supercharge the sport’s development across the region. The week-long national fixture marked the triumphant return of top-flight tennis to Sahiwal after a painstaking hiatus of nearly three decades.

Drawing a stellar lineup of both seasoned veterans and the country’s most promising prodigies, the championship received widespread acclaim for its elite infrastructure, competitive integrity, and immaculate hospitality.

The PLTA leadership extended its highest commendations to Sahiwal Club General Secretary Sheikh Azmat Saleem and Tennis Coordinator Mian Naveed Malik.

The duo’s meticulous planning, tireless operational oversight, and unwavering dedication were cited as the driving forces behind the event’s grand success.

Expressing immense satisfaction, PLTA officials voiced strong optimism that this championship will now transition into a permanent annual fixture on Pakistan’s national tennis calendar, serving as a vital crucible for nurturing emerging grassroots talent.

On the clay, the championship witnessed a flurry of clinical, high-octane performances across multiple age brackets as the tournament moved into its crucial knockout stages.

In the Men’s Singles second-round action, the powerhouse Ahtesham Humayun sent shockwaves through the draw, delivering a flawless double-bagel performance to dismiss Ahmad Hameed 6-0, 6-0. Not far behind,

Imran Bhatti showcased premium form by dismantling M. Ahmad Afzal 6-0, 6-1. Other heavyweights marching into the next round included: Abdul Basit, M. Zubair, and Subhan Sheikh Zeeshan, Atta Rabbi, and Suleman Junaid.

Junior Draw: Next-Gen Stars Take Center Stage

The youth circuits mirrored the intensity of the senior matches, punctuated by deep runs from the country’s elite junior prospects:

Boys Under-18 (Pre-Quarterfinals): Ahtesham Humayun pull double-duty dominance, routing Rehman Bilal 6-0, 6-1 to secure his quarterfinal berth alongside title contenders Aliyan Ali, Huzaifa Asif, Abdul Basit, and M. Yahya.

Boys Under-14: A highly competitive division saw clinical wins from Muhammad Muaz, Hasham Sher Chadar, Muhammad Ibraheem Hussain Gill, Aliyan Ali, Behroze Memon, Muhammad Ayan, Shayan Afridi, and Rashid Ali Bachani.

Boys Under-12: The opening round of the foundational tier saw rising starlets Ishfan Memon, Mustafa Zia, Majid Ali Bachani, Riyan Omer Khalil, Behroze Memon, Muhammad Faizan, Salman Pirzada, Mustafa Uzair Rana, and Salaar Khan all advance cleanly.

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National-level ranking tennis made a historic return to Sahiwal after more than 27 years as the All Pakistan Juniors/Seniors National Ranking Tennis Championship 2026 commenced at Sahiwal Club, attracting more than 150 players from across the country.

The six-day championship, running from June 2 to June 7, has brought together some of Pakistan’s leading and emerging tennis talent to compete in a wide range of junior, senior and men’s categories.

The tournament features men’s singles and doubles (Punjab Ranking), seniors 45+ and 55+ doubles, boys and girls U-18, U-14 and U-12 singles and doubles events, along with boys and girls U-10 singles competitions.

The opening ceremony was attended by Commissioner Sahiwal Division Dr Asif Tufail as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Sahiwal Capt (R) Samiullah Farooq graced the occasion as guest of honour. The event drew a large gathering of players, coaches, parents, sports enthusiasts and members of the local tennis community.

The championship is being conducted under the supervision of renowned tennis administrator and former Davis Cup player Rashid Malik, recipient of the Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, who is serving as tournament director. Faheem Siddiqui is the tournament referee, while Hamza Naeem is coordinating the event.

Rashid Malik is heading the disciplinary committee while Salman Habib (Sports Secretary), Mian Naveed Malik, Ch Asif and Nathan Asher are members. The organizing committee is being headed by Hassan Said and its members are Hamza Naeem, Ch Hamza, Dr Ali and Zeeshan Sheikh.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail praised the joint efforts of Sahiwal Club and the district administration for bringing a major national sporting event back to the city after nearly three decades. “It is a matter of pride for Sahiwal to host such a prestigious championship. We look forward to witnessing high-quality and competitive tennis throughout the week,” he said while wishing all participants success.

Addressing the participants, Rashid Malik encouraged young players to compete with determination and sportsmanship, urging them to pursue excellence and strive to represent Pakistan with distinction at the international level. “I would especially like to thank Commissioner Sahiwal Dr Asif Tufail for hosting this event in Sahiwal and hoped that it will be conducted every year here.”

Meanwhile in the men’s singles first round, Shahzaib Hassan, Ahmad Hameed, Zakir Ullah, Hassan Kamran, Suleiman Junaid and Alyas Khan advanced comfortably to the next stage. In the boys U-18 category, Ahtesham Humayun, Ahmad Shuja Rehman, Rashid Ali Bachani, Shayan Afridi and Abdul Basit secured victories.

While the U-14 competition saw M Ahsan Bari, Ali Muntazim, Behroze Memon, Haseeb Mustafa and Shayan Afridi progress after impressive opening-round performances. The tournament is being supported by Cheezious, Adams Foods, Sahiwal Club members, the Commissioner Office and the Deputy Commissioner Office.

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Paris: American tennis icon Serena Williams has officially announced her long-anticipated return to competitive tennis. At 44 years old, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is set to step back into the spotlight at this month’s prestigious Queen’s Club Championships, reigniting the magic of a career that dominated the sport for over two decades.

The London-based club confirmed that Williams, who has not played a competitive match since her emotional farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open, has accepted a wildcard entry into the doubles draw for the grasscourt tournament, scheduled from June 8 to 14.

Williams practically broke the internet with a cinematic social media teaser, posting a video of herself walking off a practice court toward a buzzing phone. “Guess everybody heard the news,” she teased, accompanying the post with the apt caption: “Good news travels fast.”

Rumors of a potential comeback had been swirling within elite tennis circles ever since Williams quietly rejoined the tennis anti-doping testing pool last year. Now, the mother of two is officially ready to write her next chapter.

“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” the former World No. 1 said in an official statement. “Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”

According to insider reports in the British media, Williams is expected to partner with 19-year-old Canadian prodigy Victoria Mboko in the doubles draw—a fascinating generational pairing that bridges the past, present, and future of the sport.

Naturally, this blockbuster announcement shifts all eyes toward SW19. The tennis world is already buzzing with speculation over whether Wimbledon—where Williams has lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish seven times—will extend a wildcard invitation for the grasscourt Grand Slam starting June 29.

When Williams stepped away from the WTA Tour in September 2022 after a third-round loss at Flushing Meadows, she famously noted she was “evolving away from tennis” to prioritize her family and entrepreneurial ventures. Yet, the competitive fire never truly died.

Over the last few months, Williams has been dropped hints of a grueling fitness regimen on her social platforms, working tirelessly behind the scenes to get back into peak athletic condition.

Furthermore, her return opens up a tantalizing possibility: the revival of the legendary Williams sisters’ doubles partnership. With her older sister Venus, 45, still actively competing on the circuit, fans are already dreaming of seeing the duo add to their joint collection of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.

The tennis fraternity has reacted with absolute delight to the news. Valerie Camillo, Chair of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), could barely contain her excitement regarding the return of the sport’s ultimate box-office draw.

“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court,” Camillo stated. “I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad witnessed a moment of brilliance on the second day of the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 (ITF M-15 Leg-2), as rising local star Zohaib Afzal Malik delivered a major upset.

In a thrilling second-round qualifying match, Zohaib showcased immense composure and skill to overcome Russia’s Fedor Dorokhov, securing a hard-fought 6–4, 6–3 victory. This standout performance has cemented Zohaib’s reputation as one of Pakistan’s most exciting tennis prospects, drawing loud applause from local fans and marking a significant highlight in the early stages of the tournament.

The prestigious event, which has gathered 86 men’s players from 22 nations, is currently in its intense qualifying phase. The tournament serves as a global stage, featuring competitors from countries including Russia,

Uzbekistan, Sweden, Morocco, Malaysia, Great Britain, Italy, Lithuania, China, Turkey, Algeria, Canada, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong, Greece, Lebanon, Germany, France, and Japan. Algerian athlete Samir Hamza Reguig, with an ATP ranking of 844, leads the field as the top seed.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) leadership has lauded the high level of competition on display. PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Secretary General Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail extended their best wishes to all participants, expressing their deep gratitude to the tournament sponsors for their pivotal role in hosting such a high-caliber international event in the capital.

The qualifying rounds have been a showcase of both local determination and international talent. In other notable results from the first round, Sarmad Ali Khan impressed with a 6–1, 6–1 win over Russia’s Grigory Maksimenko, while Ahmad Nael Qureshi fought past Great Britain’s Ned Smith, 7–5, 6–4. Other Pakistani players who advanced through the first round included Muhammad Huzaifa Khan,

Muhammad Hamza Aasim, Barkat Khan, and Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar. International competitors also made their mark; Lebanon’s Giovani Samaha advanced after Adam Bajurko of Poland retired, and Great Britain’s Muhammad Abdullah dominated his match with a 6–0, 6–0 scoreline.

As the second round of qualifying concluded, the competition intensified. While Zohaib Afzal Malik grabbed the spotlight with his victory over Dorokhov, other international players also asserted their dominance. Uzbekistan’s Ilyos Abrorov and Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, Canada’s Adam Farag-Cao,

and Russia’s Makar Krivoshchekov and Alexey Dubinin all secured emphatic wins against their respective opponents. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Josh Roe Flannelly defeated China’s Xiuyuan Guo, and Uzbekistan’s Shokrukh Toshpulatov outlasted Muhammad Huzaifa Khan in a three-set thriller.

With the third round of qualifying currently in progress, the tournament is poised for its next phase. The main draw is scheduled to commence tomorrow at the PTF Tennis Complex, where the field of contenders will vie for the championship title, promising even higher stakes as the event progresses.

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MADRID (Sports Link Report): Marta Kostyuk overpowered Mirra Andreeva 6-3 7-5 in a commanding one hour and 20 minutes to win the Madrid Open title on Saturday, sealing only the third singles crown of her career.

The Ukrainian, whose only previous triumphs came in Austin in 2023 and Rouen last month, arrived in the ‌Spanish capital on a mission and left with silverware after a display brimming with intent and nerve. Kostyuk began with relentless intensity, stepping into the court and striking as if every blow might be the last.

She brought raw power and will, while Andreeva countered with a more polished, patient approach, mixing up her shots in a way that at times frustrated her opponent. But it was Kostyuk who seized control. In the sixth game of the opening set ⁠she piled on the pressure, drawing a string of unforced errors from the Russian before breaking for a 4-2 lead. Another commanding hold stretched her advantage to 5-2.

Serving for the set, however, Kostyuk wobbled. She offered up two break points, which she saved to reach deuce, only to double fault on set point and level the contest once more. Regaining her composure, she closed it out 6-3 after 34 minutes for her first WTA 1000 title. “It feels unbelievable to be standing here right now,” Kostyuk said. ” I can only thank my team for supporting me throughout the years. If you look at the stats, I was way down the line and never thought I would be standing here where I am right now, ‌playing ⁠the way I’m playing.”

Andreeva, who turned 19 this week and is eighth in the world rankings, has long been regarded as one of the game’s most gifted young players. Yet in Madrid she again seemed to be struggling when cast in the role of favourite. The second set swung wildly. Andreeva donated an early break with successive unforced errors, then immediately hit back, earning two break points after a ⁠Kostyuk double fault and levelling at 1-1.

She surged to 3-1 when Kostyuk missed a routine smash, the Ukrainian staring in disbelief as momentum appeared to shift. It did not last. Kostyuk struck back for 3-3, capitalising on triple break point, and the match turned into a ⁠test of nerve.

Leading 5-4 with Kostyuk serving to stay in the match, Andreeva conjured up three superb rallies to reach deuce but squandered a set point with an unforced error. She earned another with a dazzling winner, only for Kostyuk to ⁠hammer down two successive aces and level at 5-5.

The Russian’s rollercoaster afternoon ended with a double fault that gave Kostyuk the decisive break at 6-5. This time there was no hesitation. Kostyuk served out the match in commanding fashion to secure a title that underlined both her firepower and resilience.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The Treet ITF Pakistan Syed Dilawar Abbas Memorial Junior Tennis Championship (J-60, Leg-3) got underway on Monday at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad, drawing promising young talent from across the globe.

The tournament was inaugurated by Tariq Murtza, Chairman of Islamabad Tennis Association, who welcomed players and officials at the opening ceremony. The championship, held annually, honors the legacy of Syed Dilawar Abbas, former president of Pakistan Tennis Federation, whose contributions to the sport continue to inspire emerging players.

This year’s edition features a diverse field, with 44 participants, 24 boys and 20 girls, from 16 countries, including Pakistan, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Australia, the United States, and several European and Asian nations. The strong international presence highlights the growing stature of the event on the ITF junior circuit.

Results:

Boys Singles 1st Round: Jayden Park (HKG) w/o Muhammad Hassan Usmani (PAK); Ruoyu Hua (CHN) bt Sarp Akan Ercan (TUR) 6-1, 6-4 ; Inam Qadir (PAK) w/o Moulik Agarwal (IND) : Amir Muhammad Khan Mazari (PAK) bt Kinki Shi (HKG) 6-1,6-1; Vladislav Chiburaev (RUS) bt Muhammad Yahya (PAK) 6-4, 7-6(5) ;

Abdaar Ali (PAK) w/o Han Yang (CHN; Artem Bukin (RUS) bt Heran Zhang (CHN) 7-6(5), 7-5 ; Jinxuan Cheng (CHN) bt Fedor Dorokhov (RUS) 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-3; Ho Wan Yeung (HKG) bt Arham Tariq (PAK) 6-1, 6-0; Muhammad Ahmad Afzal (PAK) w/o Ivan Bondarenko (KAZ); Ganuka Fernando (SRI) bt Zohaib Afzal Malik (PAK) 6-2, 6-3 ; Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) bt Hao Yi Zhang (CHN) 6-1, 4-1 Retd.

Girls Singles 1st Round: Kiko Okuyama (JPN) bt Bismal Zia Ullah Khan (PAK) 6-0,6-1; Safiia Urazalina (KAZ) bt Yuriko Michihiro (JPN) 6-0, 6-1; Romisa Malik (PAK) bt Yeanna Chowdhury (BAN) 6-2, 7-5; Khadija Khalil bt Rania Busz (USA) 4-6,6-2,6-0.

Boys Doubles 1st Round: Ruoyu Hua (CHN) / Heran Zhang (CHN) bt Vladislav Chiburaev / Ahtesham Humayun (PAK) 6-4,6-4; Kinki Shi (HKG) / Ho Wan Yeung(HKG) bt Abdaar Ali (PAK) / Arham Tariq (PAK) 6-2,6-2; Artem Bukin (RUS) / Fedor Dorokhov (RUS) bt Zohaib Afzal Malik / M.Yahya (PAK) 6-2,7-5.

Girls Doubles 1st Round: Yeanna Chowdhury (BAN) / Eyu Yoshida(JPN) bt Yuliia Artiuhina(POL) / Rania Busz(USA) 6-0,6-0; Yitong Lu (CHN) / Ai Teng(CHN) bt Hinako Higaki (JPN) / Yuriko Michihiro(JPN) 6-4,6-2.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan’s rising tennis talent Mikaeel Ali Baig produced an impressive all-round performance to reach both the singles and doubles finals at the Subh-e-Nau ITF Pakistan Junior International Tennis Championship (Leg-II), currently underway at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad.

Baig will now face Sri Lanka’s Ganuka Fernando in the Boys’ Singles final after both players emerged victorious in their respective semifinal encounters, setting up an exciting title clash.

In a gripping semifinal, Baig edged past fellow Pakistani Abubakar Talha in a hard-fought three-set battle, winning 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 6-4. The match showcased high-quality tennis, with Baig holding his nerve in the निर्णायक moments to secure his place in the final.

Fernando, on the other hand, advanced with a straight-sets victory over Pakistan’s Amir Mazari, winning 6-1, 6-4 to confirm his spot in the title decider.

Baig’s success was not limited to singles. In the Boys’ Doubles event, he teamed up with compatriot Ahtesham Humayun to book a place in the final. The Pakistani duo displayed excellent coordination and control to defeat Zohaib Afzal Malik and M. Yahya in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.

They will now meet the pair of Ganuka Fernando and Hong Kong’s Jayden Park, who overcame Jamie Chen (HKG) and Masamune Matsumoto (JPN) 6-2, 7-5 in their semifinal.

Meanwhile, the Girls’ Singles category will see a final between Russia’s Varvara Rubtsova and China’s Zhiyu Zhou. Rubtsova secured her berth with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over China’s Yijiia Wang, while Zhou defeated compatriot Zihan Feng 6-3, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

In the Girls’ Doubles event, Ai Teng and Zhiyu Zhou of China advanced to the final after a hard-fought victory over Japan’s Rino Shinden and Thailand’s Phitchayaphak Srimuk. The Chinese pair prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 15-13 in a thrilling contest.

In the second semifinal, Varvara Rubtsova (Russia) and Safiia Urazalina (Kazakhstan) dominated their opponents Yijiia Wang (China) and Yeanna Chowdhury (Bangladesh), winning comfortably 6-2, 6-2.

With Pakistani representation in both boys’ finals, local hopes will be high as Baig aims to cap off his remarkable run with a potential double title triumph.

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