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Aisam defends world title as Pakistan finishes with four medals in Lisbon

· Azhar Khan · 2026-08-16T02:24:00+00:00 · nguồn gốc

LAHORE - Pakistan’s tennis legend Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi successfully defended his world mixed doubles title, leading an impressive Pakistani campaign that yielded four medals at the ITF Masters World Team and Individual Championships in Lisbon. According to information made available here, partnering Austria’s Nina Hermann, Aisam produced another masterclass to defeat Portugal’s top-seeded pair, Fred Gil and Rita Freitas, 6-4, 6-3 in the mixed doubles final, retaining the world crown he won last year and adding another remarkable chapter to his distinguished career. The triumph highlighted an outstanding fortnight for Pakistani tennis, with Aisam playing a central role in two medal-winning performances and Aqeel Khan contributing to two more as Pakistan emerged among the event’s standout nations. Aisam and Aqeel also reached the men’s 45+ doubles final, where they settled for the silver medal after a gripping contest against France’s Jacques Glay and Jean-Baptiste Renault. The Pakistani duo dominated the opening set 6-1 before the French pair fought back to edge a tense second-set tie-break and eventually clinch the match tie-break 10-7, sealing a 1-6, 7-6, (10-7) victory. Despite the defeat, Aisam and Aqeel enjoyed a superb campaign, highlighted by a dramatic quarterfinal comeback against Spain’s Francisco Javier Martínez Baena and Pedro Nieto Orellana. The Pakistanis saved two match points before battling to a thrilling 6-7, 7-6, (10-2) victory. Aqeel added another podium finish by claiming bronze in the 40+ mixed doubles alongside Germany’s Eileen Aranas-Roth. Their impressive run ended in the semifinals against eventual champions Fred Gil and Rita Freitas. Pakistan’s memorable campaign also included a historic silver medal in the men’s 45+ world team championships, underlining the country’s growing strength in Masters tennis. PAKISTAN’S MEDAL HAUL Gold    40+ Mixed Doubles    Aisam/Nina Silver    45+ World Team C’ships    Pakistan Silver    Men’s 45+ Doubles    Aisam and Aqeel Bronze    40+ Mixed Doubles    Aqeel and Eileen