LAHORE: A few matches were played in different age categories but walkovers dominated the opening day of the Maple Leaf Cement Pakistan ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Championships at the Bagh-i-Jinnah courts here on Monday.

Around eight Indian players were expected to reach the venue to start their matches, but just one — Aveensh Raghuvanshi — was present.

Tournament director Rashid Malik, however, informed that the remaining sevem players will be at the courts on Tuesday as some of them were coming via the Wagah Border and others by air.

Naeem Siddique — an American player of Pakistani origin — had arrived while two French players had also reached Lahore, Rashid informed.

In the 35 age group category, Talha Waleed defeated Naeem 6-2, 6-4, Sajjad Rasul outplayed Mehboob Waheed 6-4, 6-2 and Asghar Ali registered a facile 6-3, 6-3 victory against Mubarak Shah while Wakeel Khan progressed after a walkover.

There were two walkovers in the 45 plus age category with Fayyaz Nazir and Mohammad Nawaz advancing while Adeel Rizwan drafted 6-4, 6-4 victory against Ijaz Chaudhary.

Mobin Malik got a walkover against Kishore Chaudhary in the 55 plus age category while in the 60 plus category, Waqar Nisar beat Ikramullah 6-3, 6-4 and Asad Niaz ousted Frenchman Christofer Burhen 6-1, 6-0.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2015

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