August 18, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 4, 1428

KARACHI, Aug 17: Four players, three by virtue of winning pre-qualifiers and a wildcard, on Friday stepped into the two-day qualifying round of the ITF juniors U-18 tennis tournament at the Karachi Club.

Those who earned selection in the next stage include Abdul Rehman (Karachi), Malik Abdul Rehman (Multan) and Sameer Iftikhar, who is a US-based Pakistani. Hasan Ahmed completed the line-up when he was awarded a wildcard after a Sri Lankan player pulled out.

They now join the 28 players in the qualifying round which begins on Saturday at 10.00am. This will form criteria for selection of top eight for the main draw.

The refurbished Karachi Club was bustling with activity following arrival of a number of foreign as well as home players from upcountry.

The foreigners who have so far reached include Wasin Wijaya, Nuttorn Tanchainant, Dussadee Darakamas (Thailand) and Dody Barani Irawan (Indonesia). All of them have moved into the main round to fill the places fallen vacant due to late withdrawls. Earlier, they were bracketed in the qualifying round draw.

In addition, a couple of Indian players have reached Lahore and are expected to arrive here by Saturday. Other seeded Indian boys and girls are due to reach here by PK 273 from Delhi on Saturday.

A Sri Lankan Thangarajah who has been placed in the main draw has also arrived.

Meanwhile, former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik accompanied by four players being groomed by him, has also reached the metropolis. The upcoming players are the reigning national U-14 champion, Ushna Sohail, Faizan Khurram, Samir Iftikhar and Mohamin Manika.

Similarly, Islamabad-based Pakistan No 1 in juniors and ladies, Sarah Mahboob, along with Natasha Afridi and Mehak Khokhar were also in attendance at the venue.

“I’m confident and looking forward to clinch the title,” Sarah who is ranked 879 in the girls U-18 singles in the ITF ranking told Dawn.

Seeded third in the singles contest after Inayat Khosla and Soniya Dayal, both from India she said her seeding has given immense confidence besides raising morale.

She had featured in three ITF events abroad — at Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, and Syria — this year and was in fine nick.