ISLAMABAD, Oct 19: Top seed Asim Shafik was made to sweat for victory by Nomi Qamar before advancing to the men’s singles final of the 18th Federal Cup tennis championship at the Islamabad Club courts.

But Asim’s win was overshadowed somewhat by the ageing 12th seed Rashid Malik who defeated unseeded Saeedul Haq in three sets to enter the final after seven years.

While Asim beat Nomi, the 3rd seed, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4, Rashid turned back the clock to score a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 win.

Rashid, a former Davis Cup player, who has been a coaching professional for the past nine years, displayed a good serve and volley game, especially in the third set. He will now face Asim in Sunday’s final.

It is indeed creditable for Rashid, 41, to have made it this far having beaten opponents several years his junior.

As a coach, Rashid, who is a former Pakistan No. 1 has trained such players as Aisamul Haq, Ahmed Whala, Shahzeb Niazi and Mehir Nisar, who are doing well on the national and international circuits.

Meanwhile Mariam Rahim and Mehvish Chishtie qualified for Saturday’s women’s singles final after brushing aside their semi- final opponents in straight sets.

Mariam outplayed her younger sister Nida Rahim 6-1, 6-1 while Mehvish beat Nosheen Ehtisham 6-2, 6-2.

Shahzad Khan, the top seed in the under-18 category eliminated Gulzeb Niazi in a well-contested semifinal winning 6- 2, 6-7(4), 6-2. He will now play Inam Gul who knocked out Shahzad 6-1, 6-4.

Asim Shafik and Rashid Malik won the doubles semifinal against Mahmood Khan and Kamran Khalil 6-1, 6-2 to set up a clash with Hameedul Haq and Mushaf Zia.

Hameed and Mushaf defeated Nomi Qamar and Shahid Khan 6-1, 6-2. The doubles final is scheduled for Saturday at 3pm.

In the veterans category, Maj. Pervaiz and Samin Jan Babar entered the final after ousting Lt. Col (Retd) Asif Dar and Col Peer 6-1, 7-6(5).

The other semifinal between Altaf Kazmi-G. Shafik and Brig. Waqar Durrani-Jahangir Badar remained unfinished.

RESULTS: