ISLAMABAD: Top seed Aqeel Khan and third seed Shahzad Khan have qualified for men’s singles final after defeating opponents in their respective semi-finals here at the Syed Tajammul Abbas Memorial National Ranking Tournament. The final would be played on Monday at the Pakistan Tennis Federations Complex.

In the first semi final of the men’s singles event Aqeel beat Heera Ashiq in a well-contest two-set match 6-4, 6-4 with Shahzad succeeding in elimination of Ahmed Choudhary 6-4, 6-4 in the second semi-final. Shahzad was in good form and played excellent game throughout the match and did not allow Ahmed to settle down against his powerful serves.

Also, the duo of Aqeel and Shahzad annexed men’s doubles title after a well-contested three-set match. They won the title by eliminating second seed Mohammad Abid and Usman Rafiq duo.

The first set was decided in the tie break which was won by losing duo of Abid and Usman 7-5. The score in the second set went up to 6-6 with Aqeel and Shahzad winning the tie break at 7-0 levelling the match 1-1 with the match finally being decided in the super tie break set which was won by Aqeel and Shahzad 10-5.

In the ladies singles event, Iman Qureshi won the title eliminating Rida Khalid in straight sets. Iman annexed the title by eliminating Rida Khalid in straight sets 6-2 6-2 with the winner displaying quality tennis from the start of the match not allowing her opponent to settle down.

Also, Alina Aftab beat her younger sister Mahin Aftab in a well-contested two-set match 7-6(4) 7-6(1) for the third position match which lasted two hours.

Eighth seed Talha Zubair made another upset beating third seed Mohammad Muzamil 6-1, 6-1 in semi-final of the boys’ U-18 singles event. Talha proved too good for Muzammil and played excellent game by keeping Muzammil running throughout the match.

In the other semi final, Arham Atique defeated Husnain Manzoor 6-4 6-1.

In the Boys’ U-14 singles semi-final, Mir Shahzaib made a big upset beating top seed Ilham Khan in straight sets 6-1 6-3 while 5th seed Saqib Umer also made an upset eliminating second Seed Yousuf Khan 6-3 6-0 in the second semi final.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2014