In a landmark moment for Pakistan tennis, Mohammad Shoaib ended a 20-year wait for a home ITF men’s singles title with a hard-fought win over Russia’s Nikita Ianin at the ITF Men’s Futures M-15 Championships.
Playing in front of a packed crowd at the PTF Tennis Complex, the Pakistani rising star secured a 7-6(7/9), 4-6, 6-2 victory in a thrilling final.
The win ends a 20-year wait for Pakistan. Mohammad Shoaib is now the first local player since Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan to win an ITF Futures singles title, marking a major breakthrough for tennis in the country.
Despite a slow start with his first serve, Shoaib remained focused. He controlled rallies from the baseline and used effective drop shots and volleys to put pressure on Ianin. The Russian player relied heavily on his serve, especially in the second set, where he secured a break and pushed the match into a deciding set.
However, Shoaib took full control in the final set. He showed better fitness and mental strength, handling the hot conditions well. He stayed composed, dictated the pace of the game, and left no room for a comeback, finishing the match strongly.
Speaking after the match, Mohammad Shoaib said, “This victory is a blessing from Almighty Allah. I am proud to win on home soil and dedicate this achievement to Pakistan. It was a tough final, and Insha’Allah I will carry this momentum into the next tournament.”
He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), especially President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Secretary General Col Ziauddin Tufail, for their support.
PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi praised the achievement, calling it a major moment for tennis in Pakistan. He said he was proud to see a Pakistani player win an ITF Futures singles title again after such a long gap. He added that hosting international tournaments in Pakistan is helping develop local players and improve results.
PTF President also noted that the tournament held special emotional value as it honored his late grandfather, Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmad.
In addition to the singles title, Pakistani players also won the doubles event, making it a complete success for the host nation and highlighting the growing strength of tennis in Pakistan.
The tournament featured around 70 players from 23 countries, including Pakistan, Russia, Sweden, China, Turkey, the United States, and Japan, reflecting strong international participation.
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