22 August 2004	Sunday	05 Rajab 1425

LAHORE, Aug 21: Top seed Aqeel Khan from Pakistan and Sakai Toshiaki(Japan) qualified for the final of ITF Satellite Circuit tennis championship at Model Town Club courts on Saturday.

Aqeel crushed compatriot Nomi Qamar in an effortless semifinal 6-2,6-2.

Toshiaki was declared winner in the second set when Italian Tommaso Sanna conceded the match due to stomach problem.

It was an easy win for Aqeel, who was also tipped as favourite for the final.

Both Aqeel and Nomi opted for the grass court. Aqeel dominated from start as Nomi could not match him at any stage. Aqeel took 30 minutes to oust Nomi.

In the other lacklustre prefinal, Toshiaki won the first set easily-6-1 against Sanna. He forged ahead 3-0 in the second before Sanna complained about his stomach's disorder to Dr Meesaq Rizvi. First aid did not help and he finally decided to concede the match.

Aqeel and his Indian partner Vijay Kannan also entered the semifinals of the doubles. The pair defeated Jaco Methew- (India)-Atsufumi Yoshikawa (Japan) 6-2, 6-3.

In a well contested quarterfinals Tommaso Caferata (Italy)- Tomasso Sanna (Italy) defeated Indian pair of Vikas Puna-Vishal Puna 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

The match between Virko Pehar (USA)- Toshiaski (Japan) against Austrians, Dane Fernandez-Adrian Venturi remained unfinished due to bad light. Pehar and Toshiaki are leading by winning the first set 7-5.

Meanwhile, scorching heat, humidity and lack of necessary facilities at the Model Town Tennis Club caused inconvenience and hardships for a small number of fans who had come to watch the semifinals.

There was no improvised canopy and chairs available for the fans, who had no option but to leave the venue, as standing in hot weather for so long was not possible.

The organisers had to shift the venue from the Bagh-i-Jinnah grass courts to Model Town Club due to rain in a hurry and did not bother to create an atmosphere necessary for a major sporting event.

Results:

Men's singles semifinals:

Aqeel Khan bt Nomi Qamar 6-2,6-2; Sakai Toshiaki (Japan) bt Tommaso Sanna (Italy) 6-1, 3-0 Sanna retired ).

Doubles' quarterfinals:

Bouyahya Yassir,Kamil Filali (Morocco) bt Kamala Kannan (India)-Enrico Wellenfeld (Italy) 7-5, 6-2; Vijay Kannan(India)-Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Jaco Methew (India)-Atsufumi Yoshikawa (Japan) 6-2, 6-3; Tommaso Caferata (Italy)- Tommaso Sanna (Italy) bt Vikas Puna (India)-Vishal Puna (India) 6-4, 5-7, 6-3; Mirko Pehar (USA)-Sekai (Japan)leading against Dane Fernandez-Adrian Venturi (Austria) in unfinished match.