Asim wins Federal Cup Tennis Singles Title
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Asim Shafik annexed Singles Title of Federal Cup Tennis Championships 2005 here at Islamabad Club by beating top seed Aqeel Khan in a well contested three set match.
The score went up to 3-3all in the first set as both the players holds their respective serves. Aqeel won the first set at 6-3 by breaking 8th game of Asim Shafik at 0-40.
In the 2nd set Asim build up the winning lead 2-1 by breaking 2nd game of Aqeel Khan. Aqeel level the score 3-3all by breaking 5th game of Shafik. The score went up to 5-5all. Asim Shafik won the set at 7-5 by hitting some good forehand, backhand drives down the line by breaking the 12th game of Aqeel Khan and level the match 1-1set all.
Asim was in excellent form in the final set and build up the winning lead 3-1 by breaking 4th game of Aqeel Khan and finally won the set and match of the Championships at 3-6 7-5 6-3. The match lasted two hours and seven minutes; the match was chaired by ITF White Badge Umpire Mr. Shahzad Akhtar Alvi.
Asim Shafik won the double crown as on Saturday he was the winner of Men’s Double title.
Asim pocketed a handsome winner cash award of Rs.35,000/- along with glittering trophy. Whereas Aqeel Khan got Rs.20,000/- as runner up prize money.
Asif Shafik was the winner by 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours, 10 minutes as senator Wasim Sajjad, who was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony, gave away the prizes.
Asim Shafik showed his tenacity, despite losing the first set, as he overcame his higher-ranked opponent with some fantastic baseline play. Aqeel’s best chance to wrap up the final came in the eighth game of the second set when he was poised for break but couldn’t win the final point despite three deuces.
In the Girls U-17 Singles event Sarah Mahboob took the double crown by beating Sara Mansoor in the well contested two set match 7-6(4) 6-1. Rashid Ali & Ali Akber annexed the Senior’s 55&Above Doubles title by beating Iftkhar Rashid & Mahboob Khan in another well contested three set match 4-6 6-4 6-4.
Tournament Director International coach Mahboob Khan presented the tournament report. A total number of more than 100 players from all over the country participated in 7 different events i.e Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Boy’s U-17 Singles, Girls U-17 Singles, Boy’s U-13 Singles, Senior’s 55 & Above Doubles. A total sum of Rs.200,000/- was given as prize money during the tournament and handsome daily allowance of Rs.100,000 paid to the outstation and seeded players. Mahbbob Khan also thanks the MCB for sponsoring the 22nd Federal Cup Tennis Championships 2005 and other co-sponsors like PEMRA.
Mahboob Khan also appreciated the efforts of Mr. Hassan Iqtidar Shah President Islamabad Tennis Association for promoting the tennis in Federal Capital Area. Senator Wasim Sajjad, Leader of the House in Senate of Pakistan and former President Pakistan Tennis Federation grace the occasion as Chief Guest and distributed the prizes among the winners, runner-up’s, and officials.