Aqeel Khan becomes oldest player in tennis history to win an ITF professional match

ISLAMABAD, 7 May (BelTA - APP) - Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan has become the oldest player in tennis history to win an ITF professional match at the age of 46, in the McDonald’s Pakistan ITF Championship 2026 (ITF M-15 Leg-2) continued here at the PTF Tennis Complex on Wednesday.

A total of 86 men’s players from 22 countries are participating in this prestigious international event. The participating nations include Pakistan, Kuwait, Russia, Uzbekistan, Sweden, Morocco, Malaysia, Great Britain, Italy, Lithuania, China, Turkey, Algeria, Canada, Ireland, Poland, Hong Kong, Greece, Lebanon, Germany, France, and Japan.

Samir Hamza Reguig (Algeria), holding an ATP ranking of 844, is the top seed of the tournament.
Aqeel Khan defeated Makar Krivoshchekov (RUS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. With this victory, he became the oldest player in tennis history to win an ITF professional match at the age of 46, adding another remarkable record to his career.

After the match, Aqeel stated that he is thankful to Almighty Allah for this milestone and expressed his happiness at continuing to play tennis and winning matches. He also thanked the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) for organising back-to-back ITF tournaments, which enabled him to achieve this record on home soil.

Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, President PTF, Col. Zia-ud-din Tufail, Secretary General PTF, and the entire PTF management congratulated Aqeel Khan on this outstanding achievement. The President PTF said that it is a proud moment for both Aqeel Khan and Pakistan, as achieving such a milestone at the age of 46 is not easy, but Aqeel has proven it with his dedication and performance.

Earlier, in February 2026, during the Davis Cup tie against Senegal, Aqeel Khan also became the oldest player this century to record a singles match win at a level above regional competition.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Muhammad Shoaib and Muzammil Murtaza also won their matches and qualified for the 2nd Round.

Results Singles 1st Round: Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) beat Melih Anavatan (TUR) 6-4, 7-5; Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) beat Artem Bukin (RUS) 6-1, 6-4; Uladzislau Tarasevich (RUS) beat Carl Holder (GBR) 6-0, 4-1 (retd); Kerem Yilmaz (TUR) beat Yassine Smiej (MAR) 6-3, 6-3; Samir Hamza Reguig (ALG) (1) beat Egor Khotchenkov (RUS) 6-3, 6-2; Adam Farag-Cao (CAN) beat Dmitrii Shirokii (RUS) 6-2, 6-0; Aqeel Khan (PAK) beat Makar Krivoshchekov (RUS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0; Edoardo Cherie Ligniere (ITA) beat Abdulaziz Usmonjonov (UZB) 6-2, 6-0; Nikita Ianin (RUS) beat Mikaeel Ali Baig (PAK) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1; Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Essa Qabazard (KUW) 6-2(Retd).

Doubles 1st Round: Mert Naci Turker (TUR), Melih Anavatan (TUR) beat Darrshan Suresh (MAS), Essa Qabazard (KUW) 6-1,7-6(7); Grigoriy Lomakin (KAZ), Muzammil Murtaza (PAK) beat Uladzislau Tarasevich (RUS), Yassine Smiej (MAR)  6-3,3-6(10-8).