Srinagar Open Tennis Championship kicks off with 16 matches at Gindun Stadium

Srinagar, Oct 10: The Srinagar Open Tennis Championship began Friday at Gindun Tennis Courts, Rajbagh, with 16 matches played on the opening day, highlighted by 13-year-old Mohammad Qais making his senior circuit debut.

As per a statement issued, the tournament's first day was highlighted by Mohammad Qais making his debut on the senior circuit; however, he lost the opening match against veteran player Gurmit Singh.

Qais staged a comeback by defeating Irfan Bhat in a tiebreaker after the two players were locked at 7-7.

The Group 'C', featuring Qais, was thrown wide open after Irfan Bhat defeated Gurmit Singh.

In Group B, Dilbagh Singh, who was runner-up in last year's tournament, will meet Rouf Ahmad for a place in the knockout stage tomorrow.

Both Singh and Ahmad won their respective singles matches against Shadab Mir.

Mir ended his run in the Single's event with a consolation win over Uzair Ahmad.

In Group 'A', Mir Jameel defeated Bittu Singh, while in Group 'D', defending champion Inayat Jehangir sailed into the knockout stage with three clinical wins.

In the doubles event, Sajad Bhat and Rouf Ahmad defeated Talat Ahmad and Tufail Bhat in the opener. Sajad and Rouf went on to beat Gurmit Singh and Shadab Mir in the second match.

Mir Jameel paired with Danish to register a win against Asif Nowsheri and Tahafuz Ilahi.

Dilbagh Singh and Inayat Jehangir beat the pair of Talat and Tufail to kickstart their doubles campaign.

The championship, organised by the District Lawn Tennis Association in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Lawn Tennis Association, has established itself as a significant event in Kashmir's tennis calendar.