KARACHI, May 16: Top seed Aqeel Khan was extended by third seed Asim Shafiq, before coming through a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 winner, in the men’s singles final of the KC Summer National tennis championship played on Monday evening on the hard courts of the Karachi Club before a jampacked audience. Aqeel began the proceedings and with service in hand ran up a 40/0 score to pick up the first game. Matching Aqeel with his powerful service, Asim was soon on even keel 1-1.

Continuing to play fluently Asim almost broke Aqeel’s service leading 40/15. But Aqeel fought back gallantly. Sending down two aces spiced with two excellent drives, Aqeel pinched the next set to go ahead 2-1, which soon reached 3-1 and then 4-1 after breaking his opponent’s service once again.

Fighting with his back to the wall Asim produced some lovely volleys which helped him break Aqeel’s service cutting down the deficit 2-4 and with service now in hand was clawing his way closer 3-4.

However, the top seed playing his best tennis helped on with a lightening ace, grabbed the first set 6-3.

Asim serving in the second set was 1-0 ahead only to see Aqeel storm back 1-1.

However moving into top gear the third seed was soon 2-1 in front which increased to 3-1 and then 4-1, with Aqeel committing several double faults.

Getting back into his strides the top seed came back strongly 2-4, but Asim growing in confidence cashing in on Aqeel’s several forced errors, won the frame 6-2 to level the sets score 1-1.

In the final set Asim lost his service but very soon returned the compliment to be 1-1 all in the final set.

Aqeel now in a better frame of mind and with the huge gathering urging him on, moved into top gear and catching his hapless opponent on the wrong foot time and again with neat passing shots and deft volleys, soon sealed up the match winning the final set 6-1.

Following were the final results:

Men’s singles: Aqeel Khan beat Asim Shafiq 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.