Anoosha aims to emulate Sania
KARACHI: Pakistan’s fast-rising tennis teenager Anoosha Aslam said on Saturday that she wants to emulate Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza in order to play a vital role in promoting tennis in Pakistan as the country lacks interest in this sport (see the tournament report on page 22). Anoosha who caused yet another upset when she defeated second seed Sara Mansoor to clinch the girls’ U-17 title in the ongoing National Hard Court tennis tournament at Karachi Gymkhana, said in an interview that there is no following for tennis in the country and it needs players like Sania Mirza, who boosted tennis in her country. “I want to follow Sania Mirza’s footprints who generated a great deal of interest in tennis in cricket-crazy India, to boost tennis in my country and I will try to do it,” she added. A student of American School in Islamabad, Anoosha said that she underwent hard training for the last six months to achieve the title adding that she will maintain hard work to bring laurels for the country at international level.
Another report
KARACHI: Anoosha Aslam achieved the first of two targets she had set for herself in the Greener Pakistan National Hard Court Tennis Championship when she outclassed Sara Mansoor in a one-sided final to win the Girls’ Under-17 crown here at the Karachi Gymkhana on Saturday.
Anoosha, 16, was in explosive form as she blasted Sara 6-4, 6-2 in the final to remain on course for a double crown in the Rs175, 000 tournament. The Islamabad schoolgirl is to meet Pakistan number one Sara Mehboob in the final of the ladies singles event this (Sunday) afternoon.
Anoosha, who came to Karachi after going through a tough training regime for four months, played good backhand strokes and together with a better serve she just sailed to a title-winning triumph, her first national crown since last summer.
“I am playing my best tennis yet and am hopeful to do well against Sara (Mehboob) tomorrow,” Anoosha said while talking to ‘The News’ after the Under-17 final. Anoosha edged out Sara Mehboob in the semifinals of the Girls’ Under-17 event a couple of days back after a marathon encounter that spanned over three-and-a-half hours. The talented girl has overshadowed her men’s counterparts in this tournament with the stunning giant killing run.
The men were back on court to battle it out for the top honours. Defending champion Aqeel Khan faced little problems in knocking out his youngster brother Jalil Khan, the fourth seed, in straight sets in the semifinals. The top seeded Aqeel won 6-1, 6-4 to set a date with Asim Shafik in today’s final. The second seeded Asim dropped a set before beating third seed Nomi Qamar in the other semifinal.
Aqeel was on target for a double crown in the tournament when he teamed up with Jalil to claim the men’s doubles trophy. The Aqeel/Jalil duo demolished the pair of Asim Shafik and Inam Gul 6-1, 6-0 in the final.
Zohair Raza defeated Adil Kohari in straight sets to claim the Boys’ Under-13 crown. Top seed Yasir Khan and Nasir Mushtaq moved into the final of the juniors’ Under-17 event. The final of men’s singles, ladies singles and juniors’ U-17 events will be played today. Senator Enver Baig will be the chief guest at the finals.
Hopefully she can become a super star at east in Pakistan because we need to boost this sport in Pakistan. We need a Super star who youngsters can look upto and let's hope Anoosha becomes a star :)
