17 December 2004	Friday	04 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Dec 16: Eighth seed Shahzad Khan created a stunning upset at the Salma Noorani Karachi Club tennis championship on Thursday, when he toppled second seed Nomi Qamar in straight sets 7-5, 6-1 , to make a triumphant entry in to the semi-finals of the men's singles at the Karachi Club hard courts.

Nomi back from Islamabad after winning the Federation Cup, was indeed brimming with confidence which soon changed to a spot of bother, when he lost the first set 5-7.

Continuing to be engaged in some long baseline rallies, Shahzad continued to gather confidence as Nomi was left by the wayside, losing the next set and match i-6. Top seed Aqeel Khan however, made a smooth entry into the semi-finals, with a fluent 6-2, 6-1 victory over seventh seed Mohammad Shafiq.

Omer Babar, the top seed in the Juniors singles event, had to battle hard before overcoming seventh seed Yasir Khan and book his entry into the finals. After being shocked 6-2 in the opening set, Omer got is act together to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-3.

Joining Omer in the finals was second seed Tanvir Ashiq who also had to bring out his best to overcome third seed Khurram Nazir 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. After his singles success, Shahzad was engaged in another splendid victory.

Teaming up with Asim Shafiq, the pair moved ahead in the Men's doubles winning 6-3, 6-4, after being engaged in a keen encounter with Shahid Afridi and Inam Gul. At the time of going to the Press, bespectacled second seed Ghulam Abbas Panju was engaged with un seeded Sunny Williams for a place in the final in the Boys under-13 event.

FOLLOWING WERE THE RESULTS:

MEN'S SINGLES (QUARTERFINALS) : Aqeel Khan bt Mohammad Shafiq 6-2, 6-1; Shahzad Khan bt Nomi Qamar 7-5, 6-1.

JUNIOR SINGLES UNDER-17 (SEMIFINALS) : Omer Baber bt Ysir Khan 2-6, 6-1, 6-3; Tanvir Ashiq bt Khurram Nazir 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.

MEN'S DOUBLES: Asim Shafiq/Shahzad Khan bt Shahid Afridi/Inam Gul 6-3, 6-4.