Juniors excel in world tennis event

Pakistan players defeat Sri Lanka 3-0 to reach semi-finals.

KARACHI: The national under-14 squad impressed at the World Junior’s Tennis tournament, defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 to enter the semi-finals of the pre-qualifying round of the Asian/Oceania zone in Kuchin, Malaysia.

The team’s success came as Muzammil Murtaza won the first rubber against Aadavan Pushparaj 6-3, 7-6(6). Asian junior number one Nofil Kaleem outclassed Andrew Muttiah 6-2, 6-1 while Murtaza and Abdaal Haider defeated Andrew and Jerique Rajapakse 6-4, 6-3 to seal an easy win.

The team will play Syria in the semi-final today.

According to 13-year-old Murtaza, the WJT event will be an opportunity for him to attract sponsors and gain exposure, the kind which he lacks at home, in the small village of Jahnia in Punjab.

“I’m playing for my country, but I’m also playing for myself,” Murtaza told The Express Tribune. In the girls under-16 qualifying round, Pakistan defeated Iran 3-0 and Kyrgyzstan 2-1 yesterday after losing their opening match against Kazakhstan 2-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2013.