LAHORE, Oct 20: Sixth seed Ali Yar Beg laboured for 90 minutes to overcome a stiff challenge from third seed Ashraf Masih before reaching semifinals of the 4th All-Pakistan badminton tournament Saturday.

Men’s pre-quarterfinals were held on Friday night while all the four quarterfinals on Saturday.

Ashraf gained a 10-7 lead in the first game, but Ali Yar, a former national champion, came from behind to level 10-all after displaying fine smashing and drop shots to win the first game 15-12.

Ali Yar, though, had won the opening game after a tough battle, lost stamina in the second game allowing Ashraf to score points at will. Ashraf was in command as he took 6-0 lead, dropped a point, but never looked back to clinch the second game 15-1.

A 10-minute break after the second game helped Ali Yar regain his strength and stamina in the third game. Ashraf got off to a flying start leading 3-0. Ali Yar levelled the scores and both were tied at 7-7 at one stage.

Ali Yar, utilising his vast experience, went 10-7 ahead but there was again a 10-10 deadlock. Ali Yar adopted short services in the last moments that paid dividends and enabled him notch up a 15-11 victory.

Seventh seed Waqas Ahmad caused an upset when he outplayed the second seed Aamir Islam 15-4, 15-6, Omer Zeeshan thrashed Ahsan Qamar 17-15, 15-8, top seed Wajid Ali, who entered the quarterfinals after a walkover, had the better of Zafar Tasnim 15-9, 15-8. Wajid Ali reached last 16 on a bye.

In the ladies singles semifinals, Farzana Shaheen was tested to limits by Nadia who lost 6-11, 11-3, 11-5.

In the second semifinal, Saadia Arshad didn’t face difficulty in eliminating Shahnaz Shah 11-1, 11-5.

Friday’s results: