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| November 10, 2001 | Saturday | Shaba’an 23, 1422 |
Aqeel to face arch-rival Asim in final showdown
KARACHI, Nov 9: Reigning champion Aqeel Khan set up a final date with arch-rival Asim Shafiq in the men’s singles final of the UBL Salma Noorani tennis tournament after contrasting victories in the semifinals Friday.
In women’s singles, Mariam Rahim will face Mehwish Chishtie in the final Saturday. The men’s singles final will be played on Sunday.
Fourth seed Tahir Iftikhar gave top seed Aqeel a testing time before going down fighting 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in over two-hour encounter.
Second seed Asim demonstrated powerful all-round game to subdue third seed Nomi Qamar 6-1, 6-2 in the other semifinal.
Cashing in on the mistakes by Aqeel, Tahir took the opening set 6-4. Second set saw both battling to take supremacy. Aqeel came back after demonstrating strong serve and forceful winners from the base line.
At 5-game-all in the second set, Aqeel wrapped up the next two games to level 1-1.
Losing the second after a close contest, Tahir looked dispirited but Aqeel won 6-3 after taking advantage of the lapse in Tahir’s concentration.
Talented Nomi failed to offer any challenge to Asim before surrendering in straight sets.
The lanky Asim dominated from start to finish with fine service, vollies and passing shots to win the first set 6-1.
Nomi, though, toiled to stage a comeback in the second set, Asim maintained his pressure with attacking shots to win
6-2 and easily sailed into the final.
In the ladies singles semifinals, diminutive Mariam struggled before winning against veteran Nousheen 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
Young Mariam started confidently picking the opening set 6-4 but Nousheen came back to level the second set 6-4.
Nousheen, after a tough battle in the second set, looked exhausted and Mariam took full advantage to win third 6-2 and to seal the fate of the match.
Talented Mehwish was in commanding form as she dropped just a game to knock out Nida Rahim 6-1, 6-0.
Nida could not match Mehwish’s potential who played better strokes and displayed consistent play.
Fourth seed Kumail Hassan will meet sixth seed Yasir Khan in boys under-14 final after both won their matches in straight sets.
Kumail caused an upset after ousting top seed Danish Ahmed 6-2, 6-4 and 6th-seeded Yasir Khan eliminated Haris Iltifat 6-2, 7-5.—APP
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