LAHORE, May 13: Defending champion Farjad Saif (ABL) and Ghazala Roohi qualified for the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s and women’s singles of the 42nd National Table Tennis Championship at the Iqbal Parks Sports Complex Monday.

Farjad struggled to beat unknown Muhammad Farooq (Rawalpindi) 12-10, 11-5, 12-10, 12-10 (4-0). Farjad won the first set after a close fight as Farooq stunned him with his grit. He won the second set quite easily after dropping five points. Farooq put up better fight in the remaining two sets before Farjad won by identical scores of 12-10 to earn straight set win.

Another seasoned campaigner Shahzad Waseem (ABL) had easy sailing against Nadir Sohail (PWD) before winning 11-7, 11-5, 11- 6, 11-5.

In the most thrilling match, Sajid Husain (Wapda) outlasted Khawaja Kashif (Karachi) 4-2. Sajid eventually won 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 11-3, 3-11, 11-8.

Sajid took a flying start winning the first two sets with ease. Kashif staged a comeback winning the third set but lost the next 3-11. Kashif bounced back to win the fifth set (3-11) but lost the next 8-11 and the match.

In another well-contested match, Balal Yasin (ADBP) beat Shahid Saif 4-1. Balal completed the win with the score of 11-4, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 15-13.

The national women’s champion Ghazala Roohi gained an easy straight sets victory over Nabeela (Faisalabad). Ghazla turned out winner with the score of 11-4, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6.

Three matches were decided in five sets.

Maria Jameel (Multan) defeated Naila Anjum after losing the second set. The score in favour of Maria was 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4.

Shabnum Yasmin (Wapda) also lost the second set before beating Saima Shamim (HBL). Shabnum carved out victory with the score of 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10.

Samyab Alam (Army) faced good opposition before beating Shahid Yousaf (PWD) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4.

Results:

Men’s singles:

 Farjad Saif (ABL) bt Muhammad Farooq (Rawalpindi) 12-10, 11-5, 12-10, 12-10; Shahzad Waseem (ABL) bt Nadir Sohail(PWD) 11-7, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5; Saleem Abbas (Wapda) bt Ishfaquddin (Karachi) 11-2, 11-3, 11-8, 11-4; Ali Faisal (Wapda) bt Muhammad Iqbal (Faisalabad) 11-5, 11-7, 13-11, 11-4; Balal Yasin (ADBP) bt Shahid Saif (PWD) 11-4, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 15-13; Sajid Husain (Wapda) bt Khawaja Kashif (Karachi) 11-8, 13-11, 10- 12, 11-3, 3-11, 11-8; Mehboob Elahi (ADBP) bt Muhammad Arif Siddiq (Hazara) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6; Awais Mukhtar (Lahore) bt Rizwan (Hazara) 14-12, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10.

Women’s singles:

Ghazala Roohi (ABL) bt Nabeela (Faisalabad) 11-4, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6; Asia Ikram (Wapda) bt Najia Khan (PWD) 11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4; Maria Jameel (Multan) bt Naila Anjum (Rawalpindi) 11-6, 10- 12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4; Louiza Irshad (Wapda) bt Yasmin Akhtar (Lahore) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4; Ayesha Iqbal (Lahore) bt Saadia Yasin (PWD) 11-9, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7; Shabnum Yasin (Wapda) bt Saima shamim (HBL) 11-7, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10; Tayyaba Gull (Wapda) bt Shamshad Akhtar (Bahawalpur) 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, 11-10; Naureen (Rawalpindi) bt Afshan (Lahore)11-4, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9; Raheela Anjum (ABL) bt Sanam Arzoo (Wapda) 11-6, 11-7, 15-13, 11- 4; Samyab Alam (Army) bt Shahida Yousaf (PWD) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4; Naila Anjum (ABL) bt Asma Najeeb Faisal 12-10, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3. Rizwana Saleem (ABL) got walk over against Saadia (Peshawar).