The Flair Travel ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) continued at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad with strong international participation and notable local performances. The event is being held in memory of Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad, who uniquely held the No. 1 ranking in pre-1947 India and remained Pakistan’s top player for a decade after independence; he was honoured with the Presidential Medal Pride of Performance in 1964 by Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
A field of 70 men’s players from 23 countries is competing in this ITF M15 Islamabad tournament, bringing entrants from across Asia, Europe and beyond including Sweden, Algeria, Russia, Great Britain, China, Turkey, the United States, Canada, Australia and several regional neighbours. The strong international line-up underlines Islamabad’s growing profile as a host for competitive junior and futures-level tennis.
Top seed Leo Borg of Sweden, ranked ATP 483, and second seed Samir Hamza Reguig of Algeria, ranked ATP 844, lead the draw. Borg’s experience has already been on display and Reguig provided a tough challenge for opponents as the main draw progressed on Day 2 of the competition.
On-court for Pakistan, Muhammad Shoaib produced a composed performance to defeat Italy’s Edoardo Cherie Ligniere 6–1, 6–3, while Barkatullah showed resilience in a three-set comeback to beat compatriot Yousaf Khalil 1–6, 6–4, 6–2, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive in the singles event. Other notable singles results included Samir Hamza Reguig edging veteran Andrei Kunitsyn in a 7–5, 2–6, 7–6(4) encounter and Leo Borg defeating Aqeel Khan 7–6(4), 6–3.
In men’s doubles, the young Pakistani pairing of Abubakar Talha and Ahmad Nael Qureshi recovered after dropping a tight opening set to win 5–7, 6–2, 10–5 against Russia’s Egor Khotchenkov and Dmitrii Shirokii, a result that underlined the rise of emerging talent in Pakistan’s junior ranks. Other doubles results at the complex included convincing wins by Aqeel Khan and Barkat Khan and by the Turkish duo Tugra Duran and Mert Naci Türker.
The ITF M15 Islamabad event offers valuable ranking opportunities and match experience for regional and international players alike, while the tribute to Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad keeps a cherished chapter of subcontinental tennis history in the spotlight. Local fans can expect more competitive encounters as the tournament moves into the next rounds at the PTF Tennis Complex.
