Pakistan’s Rising Tennis Stars Shine at ITF National Foods World Junior Tennis Championship J-60 2025
Pakistan’s young tennis stars made a significant impact in the ITF Pakistan National Foods World Junior Tennis Championship J-60 2025, held at the PTF-SDA Tennis Complex in Islamabad. The event saw remarkable performances from local players across both singles and doubles categories, highlighting the country’s growing talent in the sport.
Boys’ Singles: A Strong Showing from Pakistani Players
In the boys’ singles category, three promising Pakistani players—Abubakar Talha, Mikaeel Ali Baig, and Hamza Roman—advanced to the semifinals with impressive victories. Their performances ensured a strong national presence in the later stages of the tournament.
Abubakar Talha delivered a thrilling three-set match against Ippie Matsushima (JPN), winning 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-1. His resilience and skill were on full display as he secured his place in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Mikaeel Ali Baig demonstrated composure and control, defeating Kristijonas Milasauskas (LTU) with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Hamza Roman also showcased consistency, defeating Nicolas Moravec (CZE) in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
However, not all Pakistani players advanced to the next round. M Hassan Usmani fell to Emre Atlamis (TUR) with a final score of 6-4, 0-6, 6-1.
Girls’ Singles: International Competition and Local Talent
The girls’ singles category featured strong competition from international players. Saudi Arabia’s Haniya Aman Minhas, who has trained and represented Pakistan at various levels, continued her impressive form by defeating Yewon Lee (KOR) 6-2, 6-2. Other notable winners included Varvara Rubtsova (RUS), Deniz Cakil (TUR), and Karolina Ligai (KAZ), each advancing to the semifinals after tough matches.
Boys’ Doubles: Five Pakistani Players Reach Semifinals
Pakistan’s dominance extended into the boys’ doubles, where five local players reached the semifinals. The pair of Hamza Roman and Abubakar Talha defeated Amir Mazari and Zohaib Afzal Malik with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Abdul Basit and Haziq Aasim narrowly edged out Ahtesham Humayun/Ippie Matsushima in a close match, winning 6-4, 2-6, [10-8].
Mikaeel Ali Baig, paired with his Lithuanian partner Kristijonas Milasauskas, defeated the local duo Shehryar Anees and Asad Zaman with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Additionally, the Turkish-Czech pair Emre Atlamis and Nicolas Moravec secured a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Chanapat (THA) and Jun Woo (KOR).
Conclusion: A Promising Future for Pakistani Tennis
The ITF Pakistan National Foods World Junior Tennis Championship J-60 2025 served as a platform for emerging talent, with Pakistani players making their mark in both singles and doubles events. The performances of Abubakar Talha, Mikaeel Ali Baig, and Hamza Roman, among others, underscore the potential of the country’s youth in the world of professional tennis.
As the tournament progresses, fans and observers will be watching closely to see how these young athletes perform in the upcoming rounds. Their success not only highlights individual talent but also signals a bright future for Pakistani tennis on the international stage.