October 15, 2001	Monday	Rajab 27, 1422

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LAHORE, Oct 14: A fine display of ground strokes and anticipation enabled top seed Shahzad Khan to earn another crown by winning the boys singles ITF international junior ranking tennis championship, defeating unseeded Ashiq Rasool in straight sets Sunday.

Shahzad clinched the title 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 after a 75 minute encounter.

An eighth class student, Shahzad had remarkably improved his world ranking from 847 to 479 by winning the   first ITF competition last  week. After this victory he has a chance to enter in top 200.

Although Shahzad won the title, faced a stiff challenge from Ashiq in the first set which was decided on a tiebreaker.

Ashiq got off to a flying start in the first set and held his service with two aces. Both held their serves and were tied at 6-6.

Shahzad, however, prevailed over his spirited opponent and displayed a skillful game in the tiebreaker, taking a 3-1 lead before winning 7-1.

After fighting neck and neck in the first set, Shahzad recovered and played aggressively in the second to clinch it 6-1 with two breaks in the fourth and sixth games.

Shahzad executed fine placements. Ashiq, who gave a tough fight in the first set looked off colour in the second and committed several unforced mistakes. Shahzad gained a commanding lead of 5-1 to win the final 6-1.