France’s Cirotte claims Islamabad W15 title

France’s Astrid Cirotte defeated Thailand’s Kamonwan Yodpetch 7-5, 7-5 in the women’s singles final of the W15 Islamabad – World Tennis Women’s Futures Championship on Sunday, claiming the title at the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex.

Cirotte, competing in Pakistan for the first time, said she hoped her success would inspire more young women in the country to take up the sport.

“Tennis is my passion, and achieving a prominent position in this sport is my goal,” she told The Express Tribune.

“I am visiting Pakistan for the first time, and I am enjoying playing tennis here. The courts are new, but the arrangements are excellent,” she added.

The Frenchwoman said tennis offered benefits beyond competition, helping players develop physical fitness and mental resilience.

“Tennis is not just a sport; it makes you physically and mentally stronger,” she said. “Pakistani women can bring pride to their country by playing tennis.”

She added that hard work, dedication and access to qualified coaches were key to success.

Top seed Cirotte reached the final after beating Uzbekistan’s Sevil Yuldasheva 6-4, 7-5 in the semi-finals. Yodpetch advanced with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over South Africa’s Wozuko Mdlulwa.

Cirotte also won the women’s doubles title on Saturday, partnering Mexico’s Sabastiani Leon to beat South Korea’s Jeong Moon and Yodpetch 5-7, 6-2, 10-5.

The first leg of the championship featured 30 players from 17 countries, including France, China, Russia, Denmark, Mexico, Uzbekistan, South Africa, the Netherlands, South Korea, Nepal, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Thailand, Turkiye, the Czech Republic and Pakistan.

Sponsored by Fatima Group, the tournament offered players an opportunity to earn valuable ranking points and provided international competition for women’s tennis in Pakistan.

The closing ceremony was attended by Fatima Group representative Asam Sharif, the chief guest, and Deputy Inspector General Saleem Marwat, the guest of honour. Other attendees included PTF director Colonel Gul Rehman, Pakistan Women Tennis Association secretary Zaira Ahmed Zaka, former Pakistan number one Sarah Mahboob Khan and ITA secretary Tufail Cheema.

The tournament was supervised by Turkish ITF Bronze Badge referee Abdullah Haluk Turun.

The second leg of the W15 Islamabad championship is scheduled to begin on October 13 at the PTF Tennis Complex.