LAHORE, Jan 1: Adnan Khan beat Imran Rasool to enter the semifinals of the All-Pakistan Junior ranking tennis championship boys singles Under-18 event at the Punjab Coaching Centre
, on Thursday, a day marred by overage objections raised against some Under-14 players.
Adnan won with the scoreline 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, after having made some errors in the first set as both players played baseline game. Imran broke Adnan 's first and ninth serves to win the first set.
Adnan staged a comeback, as he did not repeat the mistakes of the first set and levelled the score 1-1 by winning the second set, breaking Imran in the second and sixth games. He wrapped up the third set 6-3 to move into the semifinals.
In other quarterfinals matches, beset with controversies about age, players were declared winners and moved into the semifinals after their opponents failed to turn up for a wrist test before the match.
After receiving complaints about overaged players, tournament director Rashid Malik decided to conduct a wrist test. Some players did not turn up for it, automatically losing out. However, Rashid did not disclose the names of players who had been disqualified.
It is learnt, that Omar Babar, Ahmad Aslam and Tanveer Munir, who are also playing in Under-18 category are among those who have been declared overage for the Under-14 contest.
Some more players, competing in the Under-14 and Under-12 events, could be sent for a wrist test. The Under-12 event also entered the semifinals stage. All the winners won easily. Nida Rahim and Mira Rahim moved into the second round of the girls Under-18 event.
Girls singles U-18 (first round): Nida Rahim bt Sara Mehboob 6-1, 6-4; Mira Rahim bt Anoaha Aslam 6-0, 6-3.
Boys: Under-12: Mohammad Abid bt Haider Zaidi 6-4, 6-1; Heera Ashiq bt Ahmad Babar 6-0, 6-0; Ghulam Abbas bt Said Mubarik 7-6, 6-1; Waqas Malik bt Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-2.
