ISLAMABAD: Aqeel Khan becomes the oldest player to have won a professional circuit match when he defeated Makar Krivoshchekov (RUS) in three sets in the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 (ITF M-15 Leg-2) at the PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad, on Wednesday.
Aqeel beat the Russian 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. With this victory, he became the oldest player in tennis history to win an ITF professional match at the age of 46, adding another remarkable record to his career.
Earlier, in February 2026, during the Davis Cup tie against Senegal, Aqeel Khan also became the oldest player this century to record a singles match win at a level above regional competition.
After the match, Aqeel stated that he is thankful to Almighty Allah for this milestone and expressed his happiness at continuing to play tennis and winning matches. He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) for organising back-to-back ITF tournaments, which enabled him to achieve this record on home soil.
Two more Pakistanis, Mohammad Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza, also won their matches, while young Mikaeel Ali Baig fought brilliantly before losing to Nikita Ianin. The Russian won in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.
Results singles 1st round: Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) bt Melih Anavatan (TUR) 6-4, 7-5; Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) bt Artem Bukin (RUS) 6-1, 6-4; Uladzislau Tarasevich (RUS) bt Carl Holder (GBR) 6-0, 4-1 (retd); Kerem Yilmaz (TUR) bt Yassine Smiej (MAR) 6-3, 6-3;Samir Hamza Reguig (ALG) (1) bt Egor Khotchenkov (RUS) 6-3, 6-2; Adam Farag-Cao (CAN) bt Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) 6-2, 6-0; Aqeel Khan (PAK) bt Makar Krivoshchekov (RUS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0; Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (ITA) bt Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 6-2, 6-0; Nikita Ianin (RUS) bt Mikaeel Ali Baig (PAK) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1; Ivan Iutkin (RUS) bt Essa Qabazard (KUW) 6-2(Retd)
Men’s doubles first round: Mert Naci Turker (TUR) / Melih Anavatan (TUR) bt Darrshan Suresh (MAS) / Essa Qabazard (KUW) 6-1,7-6(7); Grigoriy Lomakin (KAZ) / Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) bt Uladzislau Tarasevich (RUS) / Yassine Smiej (MAR) 6-3, 3-6(10-8).
