According to Beyond Time News, Pakistan’s rising tennis star Muhammad Shoaib pulled off a major upset by defeating Sweden’s Leo Borg to reach the semifinals of the ITF Men’s Futures M-15 (Leg-1) in Islamabad.
The match took place at the PTF Tennis Complex, where Shoaib impressed the home crowd with a hard-fought victory. He beat the world No. 483 in three sets: 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–1).
Comeback After Early Setback
Shoaib lost the opening set 4–6 but showed strong intent with aggressive baseline play. He quickly regained control in the second set, raising his level and winning it 6–2.
The final set turned into a tense battle. Both players held their nerve and pushed the match into a tiebreak. In the decisive moments, Shoaib dominated completely, sealing the tiebreak 7–1 with confidence.
A Milestone Victory
This win marks one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Beating a top-500 player highlights Shoaib’s growing potential on the international stage.
With this result, he moves into the semifinals and keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive in the singles category.
Historic Achievement in Doubles
Pakistan also celebrated a major breakthrough in the doubles event. For the first time, all finalists in the men’s doubles will be Pakistani players.
In the first semifinal, Aqeel Khan and Barkatullah Khan defeated Essa Qabazard and Darshan Suresh in a close match.
In the second semifinal, Abid Ali Akbar Khan and Muzammil Murtaza beat Russia’s Alexey Dubinin and Ivan Iutkin in straight sets.
Read more:ITF Men’s Futures M-15 Tournament Gains Momentum
Federation Praises Players’ Performance
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, praised the players for their determination and discipline.
He said the strong results show clear progress in Pakistan’s tennis development. He also noted that players have started earning ATP ranking points again after nearly 30 years, calling it a major breakthrough.
Continued Support for Tennis Growth
Secretary General Zia-ud-Din Tufail also congratulated the players and highlighted the federation’s long-term commitment.
He said consistent efforts at all levels, from grassroots to professional tennis, are now producing visible results.
