KARACHI, July 4: Davis Cup star Aqeel Khan has consolidated his position as the Pakistan number one in the latest national tennis rankings issued by the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF). The PTF rankings for the year 2005 reflected stagnant results as Aqeel maintained his number one slot while Islamabad’s Asim Shafiq on number two position. According to the ranking provided by PTF on Monday, Nomi Qamar could not improve his position despite playing the final of the KC Tennis Championship, the richest event on the national circuit, held last week by beating No.2 seeded Asim Shafiq in the semifinal. Nomi remained on number three slot in the list.

Aisamul Haq, who played important role in helping Pakistan reach the Davis Cup Playoffs earlier this year, is placed on number 12 on the rankings due to his unavailability in the tournaments held last couple of months. He just took part in one national ranking tournament — the National Grass Court Championship in Lahore — and won it.

Aisam is currently taking part in international tournaments abroad and would be leading Pakistan’s campaign in the Davis Cup playoff against Chile this fall in Santiago.

Jalil Khan and Shehzad Khan are ranked fourth and fifth while Muhammed Shafiq remained on sixth spot.

Top Ten Players: 1-Aqeel Khan 2-Asim Shafique 3-Nomi Qamar 4-Jalil Khan 5-Shehzad Khan 6-Muhammed Shafiq 7-Inam Gul 8-Mehmood Khan 9-Adnan Khan 10-Tanveer Aashiq.—PPI