August 30, 2007	Thursday	Sha'aban 16, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 29: At the quarter-final stage of the 1st Punjab Open Squash Championship on Wednesday, top seed Aamir Atlas (Wapda) had to fight a tough battle to overcome his opponent, the 9th seed Aaqib Hanif (Punjab).

The 48-minute match, which stretched to five games, had Aamir in the lead 2-0, before Aaqib restored the parity, winning the next two sets.

Aamir had to steady his game and play like a true champion in the final set to carve out a win for himself and move into the semi-finals. The score: 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5.

Although Aaqib failed to create an upset, the 12th seed Shahnawaz (Navy) did by ousting the former national champion and 4th seed Yasir Butt (Wapda) in another five-game showdown. Shahnawaz spent 54 minutes at the court to win the match 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8. After winning the first set, Yasir, went down easily, losing the next two as Shahnawaz exhibited a brilliant comeback to take a 2-1 lead. Yasir tried to settle down again and managed to make it 2-all by winning the fourth set, but it was Shahnawaz’s day. He won the final game.

Sixth seed Shamsul Islam (Balochistan) also made an unexpected entry into the semi-finals as third seed Majid Khan (CAA) retired hurt after losing the first game 11-4.

Second seed Farhan Mehboob (Wapda) earned an easy win against 14th seed Shoaib Hasan (Punjab) to book a place in the last four. The score: 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7.

In the women’s matches, Zoya Khalid (Army) ousted Saima Shoukat (Wapda) in a five-game encounter to enter the semi-finals. Zoya romped home with 9-10, 9-4, 9-2, 4-9, 9-6. Muqaddas Ashraf (Wapda), Aliya Sarfraz (Wapda) and Misbah Rani (Army) also entered the last four.

Results:

Quarter-finals:

Men’s: Aamir Atlas (Wapda) bt Aqib Hanif (Pb) 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5; Shamsul Islam (Bal) bt Majid Khan (CAA) 11-4, (Retd); Shahnawaz (Pak Navy) bt Yasir Butt (Wapda) 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8; Farhan Mehboob (Wapda) bt Shoaib Hassan (Pb) 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Women’s: Muqaddas Ashraf (Wapda) bt Habiba Khan (Sindh) 9-3, 9-3, 9-3; Aliya Sarfraz (Wapda) bt Maliha Shahid (Pb) 9-0, 9-0, 9-0; Misbah Rani (Army) bt Mehwish Hanif (Army) 9-6, 6-9, 9-2, 9-6; Zoya Khalid (Army) bt Saima Shoukat (Wapda) 9-10, 9-4, 9-2, 4-9, 9-6.