May 31, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1428

KARACHI, May 30: Highly talented Nasir Mushtaq sent shockwaves when he surprised top seed Yasir Khan to claim the juniors’ under-18 singles crown in the 11th Anti-Tobacco Day tennis tournament at Karachi Club here on Wednesday.

In a ruthless display, the second seed whipped Yasir 6-2, 6-3 to register maiden win against him.

Nasir showed no mercy to Yasir, who was sent to Taiwan in Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone group one tie by the PTF as an observer last year, and wrapped up the match in straight sets.

Prodigy Zuhair Raza lived up to his potential when he became the first player to annex a double crown. He edged past Abdul Rehman 6-1, 6-2 for the boys’ under-14 crown and later teamed up with elder brother Abbas to post 6-2, 6-3 win against the pairing of Aamir Darvesh and Omer Shahid to land the juniors’ under-18 doubles title.

Zuhair, who holds Pakistan No 1 ranking in the under-14 category, had two junior colours under his belt. He came into prominence when he represented the country at the Asian 14 and under Championships at Islamabad earlier this year, followed by a trip to Delhi to feature in world junior tennis tourney last month.

Meanwhile, curtain falls on the championship on Thursday with the finals of the men’s and women’s singles.

Country’s top player Aqeel Khan faces Nomi Qamar for the men’s title while Seher Khwaja meets Shahrukh Khan in the women’s final.

Results:

Juniors’ under-18 singles final:

Nasir Mushtaq bt Yasir Khan 6-2, 6-3.

Boys’ under-14 singles final:

Zuhair Raza bt Abdul Rehman 6-1, 6-2.

Juniors’ under-18 doubles final:

Zuhair Raza/Abbas Raza bt Aamir Darvesh/Omer Shahid 6-2, 6-3.

Thursday’s fixtures:

Men’s singles final; ladies singles final from 5:00pm onwards.