ISLAMABAD – Pakistani tennis legend Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has successfully retained his ITF Masters World title, partnering Austria’s Nina Hermann to gold in the 40+ Mixed Doubles at the ITF Masters World Championships in Lisbon.
Aisam and Hermann defeated top-seeded Portuguese pair Fred Gil and Rita Freitas 6-4, 6-3 in the final, allowing the Pakistani star to defend the title he won a year earlier. The victory also capped a highly successful campaign for Pakistan, which finished the championships with four medals.
The ITF’s official tournament listing confirms that the 40+ and 45+ World Individual Championships took place in Portugal from August 8 to 15, 2026, on clay courts.
Aisam-ul-Haq Defends World Mixed Doubles Crown
The Pakistani tennis legend retains ITF Masters World title achievement came against one of the toughest combinations in the draw.
Aisam and Hermann faced the tournament’s top-seeded pair in the gold-medal match but maintained their composure to secure a straight-sets victory.
The 6-4, 6-3 result gave Aisam another World Mixed Doubles championship and continued his strong record on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour.
The ITF had identified Aisam as one of Pakistan’s key players ahead of the Lisbon championships, alongside longtime Davis Cup teammate Aqeel Khan.
Aisam And Aqeel Khan Win Silver
Aisam’s title was not Pakistan’s only success in Lisbon.
He also teamed up with Aqeel Khan in the Men’s 45+ Doubles, where the Pakistani duo reached the final and secured silver.
Aisam and Aqeel made an excellent start against France’s Jacques Glay and Jean-Baptiste Renault, winning the opening set 6-1. The French pair responded in the second set and eventually won the deciding match tiebreak, with the final score reading 1-6, 7-6, [10-7].
Although the pair missed out on gold, reaching the final added another medal to Pakistan’s impressive campaign.
Dramatic Comeback Sends Pakistan Pair Into Final
Aisam and Aqeel had to survive a major scare in the quarterfinals before reaching the final.
The Pakistani duo faced Spain’s Francisco Javier Martínez Baena and Pedro Nieto Orellana and found themselves in a tight battle after losing the opening set.
They eventually turned the match around after saving two match points, winning 6-7, 7-6, [10-2] to book their place in the semifinals.
The comeback became one of the defining moments of their doubles campaign and showed the experience that continues to make the pair a formidable combination on the Masters circuit.
Aqeel Khan Adds Another Medal
Aqeel also contributed a bronze medal in the 40+ Mixed Doubles.
Partnering Germany’s Eileen Aranas-Roth, he reached the semifinals before losing to Fred Gil and Rita Freitas.
The Portuguese pair later faced Aisam and Hermann in the final, where they finished with silver after their 6-4, 6-3 defeat.
The bronze gave Aqeel his second medal from the Individual World Championships.
Pakistan Finishes With Four Medals
Pakistan’s strong showing extended beyond the individual events.
The country won silver in the Men’s 45+ World Team Championships, while Aisam and Aqeel added another silver in the Men’s 45+ Doubles. Aisam and Hermann took gold in the 40+ Mixed Doubles, while Aqeel and Aranas-Roth secured bronze in the same category.
| Event |
Pakistani representatives |
Medal |
| 40+ Mixed Doubles
|
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi & Nina Hermann
|
Gold
|
| Men’s 45+ Doubles
|
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi & Aqeel Khan
|
Silver
|
| 40+ Mixed Doubles
|
Aqeel Khan & Eileen Aranas-Roth
|
Bronze
|
| Men’s 45+ World Team Championships |
Pakistan |
Silver |
The ITF had scheduled the 40+ and 45+ World Team Championships in Lisbon and Oeiras from August 2 to 7, followed by the individual championships from August 8 to 15.
Another Major Achievement For Aisam
For Aisam, the Lisbon triumph adds another achievement to a career that has made him one of Pakistan’s most recognised tennis players.
His continued success at the Masters level also gives Pakistan a significant presence at an international competition featuring experienced players from around the world.
With one gold, two silvers and one bronze, Pakistan ended the championships with a strong medal haul.
The results also underline the enduring partnership between Aisam and Aqeel, who have represented Pakistan together for years and continue to compete successfully on the international stage.
Key Points:
- Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi retained the ITF Masters World Mixed Doubles title in Lisbon.
- Aisam and Austria’s Nina Hermann defeated Portugal’s Fred Gil and Rita Freitas 6-4, 6-3.
- Aisam and Aqeel Khan won silver in Men’s 45+ Doubles.
- The pair saved two match points during their quarterfinal comeback.
- Aqeel Khan also won bronze in 40+ Mixed Doubles.
- Pakistan won silver in the Men’s 45+ World Team Championships.
- Pakistan finished the championships with one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
- The 2026 40+ and 45+ ITF Masters World Individual Championships were held in Lisbon and Oeiras from August 8 to 15.
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