Aqeel, Ushna Annex Serena Masters Tennis Cup

AFZAL JAVED

ISLAMABAD, MAR 27 (DNA): Top-seeded Aqeel Khan and Ushna Suhail emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s singles categories in the 3rd Serena Masters Tennis Cup, which concluded successfully at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.

With the collaboration of Serena Hotels, the tournament featured the top eight male and female players from across Pakistan in the first-ever edition played during Ramadan.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), also participated in the doubles category, underscoring the event’s significance.

In the men’s singles final, Aqeel Khan dominated Barkatullah with a 6-3, 6-2 victory. The country’s longest-serving No. 1 player started strong, displaying a superb baseline and net game, preventing his opponent from mounting a comeback.

In the women’s singles final, Ushna Suhail outclassed Sheeza Sajid 6-4, 4-0 (retired) to claim the title. From the outset, Ushna played an aggressive game, not allowing Sheeza to settle into a rhythm.

The men’s doubles final was abandoned due to inclement weather at 3-all. As a result, both pairs—Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi/Aqeel Khan and Shahzad Khan/Muhammad Abid—were declared joint winners.

The closing ceremony was graced by Syed Fahim Inam, Chief Marketing Officer of Serena Hotels, as the Chief Guest, alongside Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, the Guest of Honour.

Syed Fahim Inam, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, and Col. Zia-ud-Din Tufail, Secretary General of the PTF, distributed prizes to the winners and runners-up, congratulating them on their achievements.

 Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels, for his unwavering support and immense encouragement for Pakistan’s tennis players.

President -PTF stated, Serena Hotels is playing a pivotal role in the growth of tennis in Pakistan, providing our players with world-class opportunities and exposure. Their commitment to the sport is truly commendable, and we look forward to further collaborations in the future.

Through its Sports Diplomacy Initiative, Serena Hotels continues to foster a culture of inclusivity and excellence in sports, offering athletes a platform to showcase their talent while promoting healthy competition and national pride.

The Serena Hotels Tennis Masters Cup once again highlighted the unifying power of sports and its role in developing Pakistan’s athletic talent. Serena Hotels remains committed to strengthening its support for sports and creating more opportunities for emerging players to shine.