Palan–Yevseyev grab doubles title in Islamabad
LAHORE (Abdul Basit): Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Muzammil Murtaza created history at the Pakistan ATP Challenger Cup 2025 by becoming the first all-Pakistani pair to reach an ATP Challenger Tour doubles final. Their inspiring run, however, concluded in a hard-fought defeat as Dominik Palan of the Czech Republic and Denis Yevseyev of Kazakhstan clinched the doubles crown with a 7-6(3), 6-4 victory in an exciting final played at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad.
The match carried special emotional weight as it marked Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi’s final appearance on the ATP Challenger Tour. Following the contest, the veteran star expressed heartfelt gratitude to local fans for their great support throughout the week and to the media for their extensive coverage of the tournament. Despite the loss, the Pakistani duo’s appearance in the championship match stands as a landmark accomplishment, reflecting the growth and potential of tennis in the country.
This year’s Pakistan ATP Challenger Cup has brought together 25 international players from 14 nations, including Sweden, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, and the United States, alongside 10 of Pakistan’s finest competitors. The event, being staged in Pakistan for the very first time, has been widely hailed as a breakthrough moment for the nation’s tennis landscape. Sweden’s Elias Ymer, ranked 169 in the ATP World/PIF Rankings, entered the tournament as the top seed, while Great Britain’s Jay Clarke, ranked 213, served as the second seed.
In the day’s first semifinal, sixth seed Mert Alkaya staged an impressive comeback to outlast Kazakhstan’s fourth seed Denis Yevseyev in a gripping three-set duel. Yevseyev edged a closely contested opening-set tiebreak 7-6(7), showcasing consistency from the baseline and sharp returns. However, Alkaya responded with remarkable resilience, shifting gears in the second set to dominate 6-1 through aggressive court coverage and heavy groundstrokes that pushed Yevseyev on the defensive. The Turkish star maintained his intensity in the decider, breaking early and maintaining control to seal the match 6-3 and secure his place in the final.
The second semifinal produced an all-British encounter as second seed Jay Clarke defeated compatriot Zach Stephens in straight sets 7-5, 6-3. Stephens started strongly, matching Clarke shot for shot in a tight opening set. But Clarke’s superior experience and tactical discipline allowed him to edge ahead at crucial moments, taking the set 7-5. In the second set, Clarke raised his level further, displaying a composed service game and well-timed net approaches that unsettled Stephens. A decisive break midway through the set paved the way for Clarke’s 6-3 victory, earning him a well-deserved place in the tournament finale.
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