28 August 2004	Saturday	11 Rajab 1425

LAHORE, Aug 27: Pakistan No.1 Aqeel Khan and Japanese Sakai Toshiaki will lock horns for the third consecutive time in the ITF Satellite Circuit tennis championship (3rd leg) men's singles final on Saturday.

Aqeel survived a scare against Vijay Kannan before winning the semifinal 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3. But Toshiaki earned a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 win against Enrico Welenfeld (Italy) on Friday.

Toshiaki won the doubles' crown with Mirco Pehar beating Aqeel and Kannan in the final. Aqeel was 3-1 down as Kannan had broken his service in the very first game. Aqeel, however, braced the game with the help of fine display of ground strokes and passing shots to break Kannan in the 8th game to even the score 6-6.

Aqeel gained 2-0 lead in the tie-breaker as Kannan had made unforced errors. But with fine court coverage and superb serves the Indian struck back to win the first set. Aqeel however, got his act together for a brilliant comeback. Three aces and excellent display of volley and half-volley shots helped Aqeel to win the second set by breaking Kannan in the fourth game.

The third set was easy sailing for Aqeel as Kannan ran out of steam. Toshiaki qualified for the final after winning one-sided matches. The Japanese broke Welenfeld in the 2nd and the fourth game to win the first set. He was more ruthless in the second as he won without dropping a game.

In the doubles, Toshiaki and Pehar did not have to work hard to beat Aqeel and Kannan to win the lacklustre final 6-2, 6-4.

RESULTS:

MEN'S SINGLES (SEMIFINALS): Aqeel Khan (Pak) bt Vijay Kannan India) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3; Toshiaki Sakai Japan) bt Enrico Welenfeld (Italy) 6-3, 6-0.

MEN'S DOUBLES (FINAL): Mirco Pehar (USA)-Toshiaki Sakai (Japan) bt Vijay Kannan (India)-Aqeel Khan (Pak) 6-2, 6-4.