ITF Men’s Futures M-15 tournament continues

The Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) tournament continued here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Tuesday.
This tournament is being organised in memory of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, a respected former tennis player of the subcontinent, in recognition of his valuable contributions to the sport and his lasting legacy in regional tennis history.
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.
A total of 70 men’s players from 23 countries are participating in this prestigious international event. The participating nations include Pakistan, Kuwait, Russia, Uzbekistan, Sweden, Australia, Malaysia, Great Britain, Italy, Lithuania, China, Turkey, Algeria, Canada, USA, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong, Nepal, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Japan.
Top seed of the tournament is Leo Borg of Sweden, currently ranked ATP 483, while the second seed is Samir Hamza Reguig of Algeria, holding an ATP ranking of 844.
On day 1 of the main draw, Pakistan’s junior player Abu Bakar Talha delivered an impressive performance. 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 Player Muhammad Abid Ali Akbar Khan won their Match and Qualified for the 2nd Round.
Mohammad Abid Ali Khan Akbar (PAK) bt Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Abu Bakar Talha (PAK) beat Abishek Bastola (NEP) 6-3, 3-2 (retd); Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) beat 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; Kerem Yilmaz (TUR) beat Mikaeel Ali Baig (PAK) 6-2, 6-2; Matas Vasiliauskas (LTU) beat Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) 7-6(5), 6-3; Essa Qabazard (KUW) beat Ahmed Nael Qureshi (PAK) 6-3, 6-3 .
The remaining matches are still in progress, as play was delayed due to rain interruptions.