Imran Daniel Abdul Hazli etched his name in history books by claiming the boys' 10-and-under and under-11 singles titles at the World Junior Tennis Masters in Turkey yesterday.
Coached by his father and former international Abdul Hazli Zainuddin, the 10-year-old battled for more than three hours to subdue top seed Dan Vasile Duta of Romania 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) in the Under-11 singles final.
Imran, a wildcard, beat Tunisian Youssef Labbene 6-2, 6-1 in the first round, followed by a 6-2, 6-1win over Swiss fourth seed Kilian Feldbausch in Friday's quarter-finals.
On the following day, the Kuala Lumpur-born defeated second seed American Vasyl Yazadchiev 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in the semi-finals.
In the 10-and-under final, Imran thrashed Dutch player Manvydas Balciunas 6-0, 6-0.
It was his second straight success in an international event this season after winning the Base 11 and under Stars of Tomorrow Championships in Germany on Aug 30.
Abdul Hazli, a former national No. 2, was delighted with his son’s achievement.
“I had promised him a drift remote control car if he emerged champion here. I think it motivated him.
"I had focused on his fitness for the last two months and it paid dividends," said Abdul Hazli from Turkey.