The 10th Sheheryar Malik Memorial Pakistan Open Tennis Championship 2026 officially opened on Sunday at the Sports Board Punjab Tennis Academy in Nishtar Park, Lahore. Organised by the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, the tournament serves as a key platform for both emerging and established talent from across the country.
The opening day was marked by intense competition in the men's singles qualifying rounds, with players battling through three stages to advance. The event honours the legacy of the late Sheheryar Malik, whose contributions were instrumental in the development and promotion of tennis within Pakistan.
In the first qualifying round, Asad Ullah, Abdullah Zeeshan, Rayn Noor Malik, Aliyan Ali, M Junaid, Aalay Husnain, Khurram Imtiaz, M Mohsin Hassan, Omer Babar, and Ahmad Raza all secured victories. The second round saw further progress for Asad, Ibrahim Ahmad, M Waleed, M Junaid, Haider Ahmad, Khurram Imtiaz, Shamoon Jutt, Omer Babar, M Shawal Azeem, Ismail Ahmad, Mubeen Akram, and Kamran Khan.
The third round of qualifying produced several decisive results. Omer Babar defeated Shamoon Jutt 6-0, while Ahmad Raza also recorded a 6-0 win against Ismail Ahmad. Kamran Khan advanced by beating Mubeen Akram 6-3, and Asad Ullah maintained his momentum with a 6-0 victory over Ibrahim Ahmad.
Additional results from the third round saw M Waleed overcome Aliyan Ali 6-3, and Khurram Imtiaz secure his place in the next stage by defeating Abubakar 6-3. These matches set the tone for the remainder of the tournament as the field narrows.
A formal opening ceremony is scheduled for November 3 at 3:00 PM at the same venue. Dr. Asif Tufail, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Punjab, and Fazal-ur-Rehman, Member of the Planning and Development Board, Punjab, are expected to attend the event as chief guests.
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