KARACHI, Feb 22: Country’s top player Aqeel Khan opened the year on a winning note while landing the men’s singles crown in the inaugural IC trophy national ranking tennis championship at Karachi Gymkhana synthetic courts on Wednesday.

Top seed Aqeel was convincing in his 6-1, 6-4 triumph over second seed and sibling Yasir Khan in the final which was witnessed by a select fraternity of the game.

Like Aqeel, the venue has become a happy hunting ground for Lahore’s Saba Aziz who accounted for Islamabad’s Sara Mansoor 6-2, 6-3 in the final to pick up ladies singles title.

She had won the honours in UBL international hard court tennis championship in December last.

But the juniors’ under-18 final between Karachi’s Adil Kohari and Lahore’s Ahmed Babar turned out to be the best match of the day that went to full distance.

Top seed Adil, however, lived up to his reputation while notching up 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory over his opponent in the title clash that lasted little over two hours.

The boys’ under-14 title went to Nofil Kaleem who fought bravely to post 6-3, 6-0 victory over Dawar Rehan in the final which turned out to be a repeat of UBL tourney.

Nofil had beaten Dawar 6-3, 6-1 for the UBL honours.

Aqeel pocketed a winning purse of Rs40,000 and a trophy while Yasir earned Rs17,000 and runner-up trophy from the chief guest, Sindh Sports Minister, Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah.

Saba took home Rs20,000 for ladies success while Sara fetched Rs9,000.

Adil was awarded Rs10,000 while Nofil got Rs5,000.

Also present on the occasion were Saeed Ahmed of Anchor Shipping, sponsors of the event and secretary International Club, Saeed Hai, Karachi Gymkhana president Ali Rahim and Khalid Rehmani.

Final results: Men’s singles: Aqeel Khan bt Yasir Khan 6-1, 6-4. Ladies singles: Saba Aziz (Lahore) bt Sara Mansoor 6-2, 6-3. Juniors’ under-18 singles: Adil Kohari bt Ahmed Babar (Lahore) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. Boys’ under-14 singles: Syed Nofil Kaleem (Islamabad) bt Dawar Rehan 6-3, 6-0.