KARACHI, July 7: Pakistan Open tennis championship begins today on the hard courts of Karachi Club, with the qualifying rounds beginning at 9.00am. The junior events will begin at 900am. and the men's singles will start at 2.00pm.

Punctuality will be strictly observed in this tournament with a grace time of 30 minutes given for a latecomer, before a walkover is awarded. Easily the richest tennis tournament to date held in the country carrying a purse of Rs300,010 (three lacs and ten), the winner of the men's event will receive Rs.60,000, while the winner of the ladies singles will go home richer by 30,000.

The winner of the juniors under-17 will pocket Rs.24,000. A record 278 entries were received for the tournament. The men's singles (75), juniors under-17 (45), under-15 (45), under-13 (32), men's doubles (21), veteran singles 45 plus (20), under-15 doubles (20) and ladies singles (20). The main event will take place on July 10, with the main draws to be held at the Karachi Club on Friday at 7.00pm.