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KARACHI, Sept 25: Shahid Aziz and Baber Ali Khan caused quite a stir on Saturday when they upset the firm favourites Tariq Sadozai and Tayyab Yousuf in the Plus 35 doubles final of the Pakistan International tennis tournament played on the Karachi Gymkhana courts.
Shahid and Baber combining well grabbed the first set 6-4, and many watching the proceedings thought that it was just a flash in the pan expecting Tariq Sadozai and Tayyab Yousuf to rediscover their form. But unfortunately that never came about. Continuing to pile on the points, Shahid and Aziz emerged the champions, winning the second set more comfortably 6-1.
However Tariq and Tayyab can gather some consolation when they play the Plus 45 doubles final ranked as the top seeds against Khawaja Masroor and Maqsood Ismail.
The Pirzada brothers Munir and Laeeq emerged the Plus 55 doubles winners, beating Jamal Mirza and partner 6-3, 6-1, in a match which the losers fought to the end.
On the round robin league basis, Dara Billimoria (India) and Jaffer Hasan finished up as runners-up.
The matches on the final day will begin from 4:30 p.m.
Following were the results:
Plus 35 singles (final): Karim Gul Agha w/o Imran Ahmed (injured).
Plus 35 Doubles (final):Shahid Aziz/Babar Ali Khan bt Tariq Sadozai/Tayyab Yousuf 6-4, 6-3.
Plus 55 Doubles: Munir Pirzada/Laeeq Pirzada bt Jamal Mirza/partner 6-3, 6-1.
55 Plus Doubles (final on the bases of round robin league:
Munir Pirzada/Laeeq Pirzada (Winner)
Dara Billimoria (India)/Jaffer Hasan (Runner-up).
Following are the fixtures for Sunday.
Plus 45 singles (final): Yogesh Shah (India) v/s Karim Gul Agha
Plus 45 doubles (final): Tariq Sadozai & Tayyab Yousuf v/s Khawaja Masroor & Maqsood Ismail
Plus 55 singles (final): Dara Billimoria (India) v/s Laeeq Pirzada.
ITF UNDER-18
Rizwan Khan moved closer to the qualifying rounds in the ITF under-18 juniors world ranking tennis championship, when he beat Jahangir Rashid 6-2, 6-3 at the Karachi Club hardcourts on Saturday afternoon.
He was joined by Mubashir Afridi who toppled Hasan Ahmed 6-2, 6-4, Sher Rehman winner over Mustafa Jamla 6-2, 6-4. But Changez Afridi was stretched to the wire, before overcoming Matin Arif 6-7(5-7),7-6 (10-8), 6-3.
On Sunday Sept 26, the second qualifying rounds will be played from 3.00 p.m. at the Karachi Club.
The sign-in for the main rounds will also be taken at 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. followed by the draws.
Players who lose in the second qualifying round may also attend the Sign-in as a lucky loser.
Following are the matches to be played on Sunday:
Haris Iltifat v/s Rizwan, Amir Ali Khan v/s Mubbashir Afridi, Javed Gardezi v/s Sher Rehman, Nasir Mushtaq v/s Changez Afridi.
