ISLAMABAD: Abu Bakar Talha delivered an impressive performance on the opening day of the Main Round in the ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) tournament, which started at the PTF Tennis Complex.
Entering the tournament through a wild card, he defeated Abishek Bastola of Nepal 6-3, 3-2 (retd) to qualify for the second round. This remarkable win highlights the young player’s potential and marks a proud moment for Pakistan tennis. Another Pakistani, Muhammad Abid Ali Akbar Khan, won his first round match.
The International Futures, one of the most prestigious events, is being organised in memory of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, a respected former tennis player of the subcontinent.
Iftikhar holds the unique distinction of being the one and only player to be ranked No. 1 in pre-1947 India and subsequently No. 1 in Pakistan for a decade in the post-independence era. In recognition of his outstanding services to the sport, he was awarded the Presidential Medal “Pride of Performance” in 1964 by Filed Marshall Ayub Khan.
Tuesday results: Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar (PAK) bt Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Abu Bakar Talha (PAK) bt Abishek Bastola (NEP) 6-3, 3-2 (retd); Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) bt Lawrence Bataljin (AUS) 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(11-9); Nikita Ianin (RUS) bt Ivan Iutkin (RUS) 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-5.
