KARACHI, July 14: Top seed Aqeel Khan set up a date in Saturday's final with second seed Nomi Qamar, when he ousted younger brother Jalil 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), in the men's singles semifinals, of the Pakistan Open tennis championship on Wednesday on the hard courts of the Karachi Club.
Winning the first set quite easily, Aqeel was extended to the limits in the second, before he picked up the set and match 7-6. Also making it through the final was old rival Nomi who had an easier time against Islamabad's Wasif Cheema 6-2, 6-4.
A set down Wasif put up a magnificent fight back in the second levelling the scores 4-4, after trailing 1-4. However this was as far as Wasif could proceed. Nomi wrapped up the match grabbing the last two points.
Giant killer Usman Abbas after shutting out top seed Ahmed Aslam in the previous round in the boys singles under-17, booked his berth in the final by causing another upset, downing third seed Tanveer Ashiq 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (13-11).
After being blown to ribbons in the opener, Usman fought his way back into contention taking the next set 6-1. The decider was an absolute thriller. Tanveer led 2-0 but the lad from Quetta bounced back 4-2. Not giving up in a hurry, Tanveer took over the lead 5-4.
The two fought desperately for every point which forced the set into a tiebreaker. Usman finally prevailed 13-11, after saving five game points to Tanveer's two. Usman's opponent in the final will be Umer Baber who disposed of Khurram Nazir 6-2, 6-0.
Unseeded Saif Noor Sumar and Asim Jawed shocked the seventh seeded Baloch twins in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, in the men's doubles event to make a triumphant entry into the quarterfinals.
Racing ahead 4-0 Saif and Asim were comfortably placed. But the twins closed the gap at 4-4. Unforced errors however cost them the set. A set in front Saif and Asim went for the kill and although Saad and Samad tried desperately hard to turn the tide, their efforts were all in vain.
Joining the winners in the quarterfinals were Inam Gul and Munir Ashiq 6-2, 6-1 winners over Fahim Ramzan and M. Arshad. Winning by the same score line was left handed Adnan Khan and Khalid Ali Nazer, who beat Zeeshan Nasir and Hilmand Kasi.
Top seeds Aqeel and Jalil had a walkover against Aamir Ali Khan and Ali Abdullah, while Nomi Qamer and Mehmood Khan also progressed further with a walkover against Mubashir Afridi and Sher Rehman.
Promising Ali Asgher Bandeali was in fine fettle shutting out S.M. Naeem 6-3, 6-1, to move in to the semifinals of the Boys singles under-15 event, He will now meet Hyderabad's Talha Dar a 7-5, 6-2 winner over Jahangir Rasheed for a berth in the final round.
Joining Ali and Talha, were Khurram Nazir and the talented Nasir Mushtaq who overcame Qurban Ali 6-3, 6-3 and Syed Abbas Raza 6-2, 6-2 respectively. Nasir Mushtaq and Ghulam Abbas Panju made it to the semifinals of the boys doubles under 15, beating S.M. Abbas Raza and Zohria 6-2, 6-2.
Joining these two in the semis were Khurram Nazir and Talha Dar 6-2, 6-2, winners over Faraz Meer and Mustafa. Going through without dropping a point were Hera Ashiq and Fahad Ali, breezing past Hasan Jafri and Mohsin.
Khurram Nazir/Talha Dar bt Faraz Meer/Mustafa 6-2, 6-2; Nasir Mushtaq/ Ghulam Abbas bt S.M. Abbas Raza/Zohria Raza 6-2, 6-2;. Heera Ashiq/Fahad Ali bt Hasan Jafri/Mohsin 6-0, 6-0. Ladies singles Seher Khawja bt Saba Aziz 6-2, 6-3; Nida Rahim bt Zermeen 6-4, 6-4; Sana Bhagat bt Sundas 6-0, 6-0; Maryium Rahim bt Saba Aziz 6-0, 6-1;. Nida Waseem w/o Gul Rukh.
