KARACHI, Aug 19: Pakistan top ranked player Aqeel Khan and Asim Shafik sailed into the final of the men’s doubles event of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures event in Tehran on Thursday.

According to the results of the world ranking tournament made available on Friday, the Aqeel-Asim duo outclassed Bellucci of Brazil and Filenkov of Russia in the semifinals 6-3, 6-4. The Pakistanis will now meet Iran’s Shahgholi and Shahkoufi in the final.

Earlier, all the three Pakistani players taking part in the tournament lost in the opening rounds of the men’s singles event.

Aqeel, seeded third in the event, lost in a three-setter against Iran’s Anoosha Shahgholi.

Egypt’s Motaz Abou El-Khair trounced Asim Shafik in straight sets while Mohammed Mohazebnia of Iran prevailed over Shahzad Khan in a three-setter.

Men’s doubles semifinals:

Shangholi/Shokoofi (Iran) bt Kamran/Mohazebnia (Iran) 7-6 (2), 6-2; Aqeel Khan/Shafik (Pakistan) bt Bellucci (Bra)/Filenkov (Rus) 6-3, 6-4.—PPI