KARACHI, Nov 19: Former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik put some spark in the walkovers-marred Pakistan-ITF seniors’ world ranking tennis championship by making his appearance at the Karachi Gymkhana on Tuesday.

Top seed Rashid, who arrived from Lahore in the morning, inflicted a 6-2, 6-2 defeat on Shehzad Saleem to reach the 45 singles semi-final. He got a bye in the first round and a walkover against Tahir Gul in the next.

He was joined in the last four by second-seed Imran Ahmed and Israr Gul. After getting back-to-back byes, Imran got a walkover against former Davis Cupper Altaf Hussain to reach last four. Israr, meanwhile, accounted for Noorullah Dhanani 6-2, 6-3.

Ali Bhagat reached the 35 singles final, with an imposing 6-4, 6-1 victory over Aly Panju in the semis. He is drawn to face the winner of top seed Mohammad Manzar and Shehryar Salamat.

Meanwhile, according to tournament referee Shahzad Akhtar Alvi, only one match could be played in the 55 singles as it witnessed three walkovers. Eight players have entered in the contest.

He said the 55 doubles may be scratched as organisers have received only two entries. According to ITF requirement, at least six entries are required for the event, he added.

According to him, five pairs have entered in the 45 doubles.

Results:

35 singles:

First round: Shehryar Salamat bt Tanveer Haral 6-1, 6-4.

Quarter-final: Shehryar Salamat bt Mohammad Abdul Saeed 6-1, 6-2.

Semi-final: Ali Bhagat bt Aly Panju 6-4, 6-1.

45 singles:

Second round: Rashid Malik (Lahore) bt Tahir Gul (walkover); Shahid Aziz bt Afaq Zafar (walkover); Noorullah Dhanani bt Andro Shilakadze (walkover); Altaf Hussain bt Khawaja Masroor (walkover).

Quarter-finals: Rashid Malik bt Shehzad Saleem 6-2, 6-2; Israr Gul bt Noorullah Dhanani 6-2, 6-3; Imran Ahmed Siddique bt Altaf Hussain (walkover).

55 singles:

First round: Jamil Khan bt Iltifat Ahmed 6-3, 6-3; Zafar Hussain bt Jamal Mirza (walkover); Mohammad Farooq Khan bt Qamaruddin Habib (walkover); Akbar Hayat Khan bt Mushtaq Ahmed (walkover).