October 27, 2002	Sunday	Sha’aban 20,1423

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KARACHI, Oct 26: Top seed Marium Rahim completed a hat trick of wins in the ladies singles final, after she beat second seed Nausheen Ehtesham in two straight sets, in the 6th UBL Salma Noorani Ranking Tennis Championship played at the Karachi Club.

In the millennium year Marium beat her older sister Halima in the final and the following year accounted for Mavish Chisty, also in straight sets in the final.

Marium hails from a keen tennis family. Her father Naeem Rahim played at Wimbledon and so did her uncle Haroon Rahim. Her aunt Shenaz Saigol, was the Pakistan champion in years gone by.

Twentyfive-year-old Marium has been Pakistan’s top seed for the last seven years and said that she would continue to play till she enjoyed playing tennis.

When the first game began, the top seed got into her strides immediately and cashing in on Nausheen’s several unforced errors, picked up the first set 6-2. Leading 5-1 in the next set, Marium seemed heading for a runaway victory.

With defeat staring her in the face, Nausheen, the mother of Pakistan’s top star Aisam ul Haq in a do or die effort stormed back 4-5, which left Marium rather frustrated committing numerous errors at the net.

Serving for the match Marium was held at deuce twice by Nausheen, who refused to give up in a hurry. Finally with a backhand smash and another error by Nausheen, Marium won the set and match 6-4.

In the men’s doubles, the top seeds Rashid Malik and Aqeel Khan beat off the spirited challenge of local pair Asad Ali Bhagat and Hasan Mahmood, who were lucky to reach the finals, when the combination of Nomi Qamar and Aurangzeb had to concede their semifinal match, after Nomi was injured in the first set with the pair trailing 0-1.

But by far the most interesting match of the afternoon was witnessed in the Boys under-14 singles final, where top seed Tanvir Ashiq from Lahore, finally prevailed over second seed Yasir Khan in three long sets 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in a thrilling match that lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

With both players executing some forceful shots, Tanveer took the first set 6-4. Yasir attacking with all cylinders blazing, levelled the scores 1-1, pocketing the next set 7-5.

As the two raced neck and neck in the final set with no quarter given and no quarter asked, Tanveer was serving for the match 5-4, but was rather disappointed when Yasir was leading 0-40. Tanveer did manage to cut down the score 15-40, but Yasir with a forehand smash levelled the scores 5-5.

Yasir now had the serve advantage but he too made a hash of the proceedings. The 13-year-old schoolboy and younger brother of the men’s top seed Aqeel Khan, threw his chances to the wind which enabled Tanveer get back on top 6-5 and serving once again for the match.

Locked 30-30, Tanveer with a forceful cross court smash went ahead 40-30, and threw his arms up with glee, when Yasir smashed a return into the net.

The Boys under-18 final will be played between top seed Shahzad Khan and third seed Shahid Afridi.

If Nomi Qamar is declared fit to play, then the men’s singles final will get under way between him and top seed Aqeel Khan.

Results:

Ladies singles (Final)

Marium Rahim bt Nausheen Ehtesham 6-2, 6-4.

Boys singles (Final)

Tanveer Ashiq bt Yasir Khan 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

Men’s doubles (Final)

Rashid Malik and Aqeel Khan bt Asad Ali Bhagat & Hasan Mahmood 6-3, 6-3.