February 19, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 20, 1427

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KARACHI, Feb 18: Top seed Nasir Mushtaq survived a scare when he overcame fighting second seed Ghulam Abbas Panju in gruelling three sets to capture the juniors U-17 title in the Open tennis championship at Karachi Gymkhana on Saturday. Nasir struggled one hour and 40 minutes to win the title battle 7-5, 5-7 6-4.

The men’s doubles title went to the pair of Nomi Qamar — Asad Ali Bhagat who got the better of Khalid Ali Nazar — M. Manzer 6-3, 7-5. The juniors U-17 final between the two promising players was fought neck-and-neck. Displaying good forehand and cross court shots, Nasir enjoyed slight edge over his opponent in the opener until he levelled 5-5. Nasir picked up two points to win the opener 7-5.

The second set was also fought in similar fashion and Panju who had beaten Nasir in the past bounced back with his superb serve and volleys to take the set 7-5 and level score one-all.

The decisive set again saw both players engaged in keenly contested battle until 4-4 with Nasir finally winning it 6-4. Nasir skipped the last month’s Sindh ranking tournament as he featured in ITF juniors’ world ranking U-18 tournament at Abu Dhabi where he lost singles in pre-quarter and doubles in last eight. His partner in doubles was a Jordanian.

Zuhair Raza also won double crown in the tournament by winning boys U-15 singles and doubles.

Results:

Juniors U-17 singles (final): Nasir Mushtaq bt Ghulam Abbas Panju 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Men’s doubles (final): Nomi Qamar-Asad Ali Bhagat bt Khalid Ali Nazar-M. Manzer 6-3,7-5.