The ITF Pakistan 3rd Zainab Ali Naqvi Memorial World Juniors Tennis Championship (Leg-1) began on April 7, 2026, at the PTF Tennis Complex in Islamabad, organised by the Pakistan Tennis Federation. The World Juniors event brings together 24 boys and 15 girls representing 14 countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, Russia, Poland, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Pakistan’s Mikaeel Ali Baig and Hamza Roman enter the competition as the top two seeds, carrying local hopes in this international junior field. The championship honours the memory of Zainab Ali Naqvi, a promising player from Karachi who tragically passed away on February 12, 2024, after suffering a heart attack while competing in an ITF junior event in Islamabad.
Early results saw Masamune Matsumoto (JPN) defeat Inam Qadir (PAK) 6-2, 6-0, while Jamie Chen (HKG) beat Ethan Chiang (SGP) 6-3, 6-1 and Jayden Park (HKG) overcame M. Ahmad Afzal (PAK) 6-1, 6-1. Arham Tariq (PAK) advanced by walkover against Seo Lee (KOR). Ruoyu Hua (CHN) defeated Abdaar Ali (PAK) 6-1, 6-0, Ho Wan Yeung (HKG) progressed by walkover over Kongyi Hu (CHN), M. Yahya advanced by walkover against Daniel Alwadi and M. Ayyan Waqas moved through by walkover against Moulik Agarwal (IND).
On the girls’ side, Varvara Rubrsova (RUS) beat Yeanna Chowdhury (BAN) 6-0, 6-2, Eyu Yoshida (JPN) defeated Soha Ali (PAK) 6-3, 6-1 and Safiia Urazalina (KAZ) overcame Romaisa Malik (PAK) 6-0, 7-5. Yelizaveta Slepchenko (KAZ) defeated Yuriko (JPN) 6-4, 6-1, Yijia Wang (CHN) beat Yuliia Artiuhina (POL) 6-1, 6-1, and Rino Shinden (JPN) advanced by walkover over Yeva Kim (KAZ).
The main draw matches for both boys and girls will commence on April 7 at 10:00 AM, with Pakistan’s junior contingent eager to make an impact on home soil. Coverage and daily updates from the World Juniors tournament will be followed closely by local tennis fans and the national federation.
