LAHORE, Aug 19: Four Pakistanis sneaked into quarterfinals of the ITF Satellite tennis tournament (2nd leg) at the Model Town Club on Thursday.

Pakistan top seed Aqeel Khan proved too good in stamina and skill against Indian Jacco Methew beating him 7-5, 6-2. Aqeel faced resistance in the first set as Methew matched him till 5-5. Aqeel, however, broke Methew's service in the 11th game to go ahead 6-5. Holding his own serve, Aqeel won the first set in 22 minutes.

Aqeel was at peak in the second set and took just 13 minutes. He broke Methew's serves in the third and the fifth to games to make the last eight. Asim Shafik, the Pakistan No 2, was in also in good nick as he brushed aside Italian Tommaso Cafferata 6-2, 6-2. It was one-sided match aqnd Asim outgunned Cafferata with his blazing shots and booming serves.

Pakistan's third seed Nomi Qamar survived some anxious moments in the second set before beating Puna Vishal (India) 6-3, 7-5. Promising Wasif Cheema, who had to play two matches on Thursday, came out with flying colours in both against Indians, to enter the quarterfinals.

First Wasif completed his Wednesday's unfinished match, which could not be completed due to poor light, in the morning beating Kamla Kennan 6-2, 6-1. In the second, Wasif locked the horn with Puna Vikas in one of the best matches of the day. Wasif finally booked his place in the last eight with 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 victory.

Tommaso Sanna (Italy) had to be at his best to overcome Kamil Filali of Morocco in three setters 7-5,6-7 (4), 6-4. In another well contested match, N. Jeevan (India) defeated compatriot Gurmehar Singh 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.

RESULTS (PRE-QUARTERFINALS):