ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: National champion Wajid Ali of Wapda needed little time in crushing KPT’s Asadullah 15-1, 15-0 advancing to the men’s singles semifinals of the 46th National Badminton Championship at the Rodham Hall.

Umer Zeeshan of New Khan also made the last four grade knocking out the experienced Ali Yar Baig, a former national champion 15-10, 15-5.

Waqas Ahmed, another New Khan player had to go the distance in overcoming Ashraf Masih of PTCL in his quarterfinal which he won 7-15, 15-6, 15-5.

Wapda’s Aamir Islam completed the semifinal line-up but not before dropping a set in his quarterfinal against KPT’s Tariq Mehmood whom he beat 15-11, 11-15, 15-9.

Wajid will now play Umer in the semifinals while Waqas will take on Aamir in the other pre-final.

In the first quarterfinal, Wajid used his height to good advantage and never allowed Asadullah to settle down. His deep cross court shots were a treat to watch.

Ali Yar Baig put a good fight in the first set which went neck and neck till 10-all after which Umer stepped up a gear with his strong smashes to take the set. However the second set Ali was nowhere near his opponent and lost it 5-15.

Ashraf Masih surprised not only Waqas but also the spectators by winning the first set of his quarterfinal. However Waqas then got his act together to brush aside his rival in the next two sets.

Aamir Islam, a former national champion, made use of his experience in beating Tariq who after losing the first set levelled the match by taking the second. But Aamir kept his opponent guessing in the third set which he won to earn a passage through to the last four.

The women’s singles semifinalists were also decided with national champion Asma Butt and Uzma Butt, both of Wapda, National Bank’s Ayesha Akram and Shamim Akhtar of PIA, all winning their respective quarterfinals easily in straight sets.

Asma defeated Farzana Malik of Punjab 11-5, 11-0 while Ayesha beat Wapda’s Mahira and Uzma routed her Wapda team-mate Shazia 11-2, 11-6. Shamim Akhtar was the last player into the semis after scoring a 11-4, 11-7 win over Wapda’s Farzana.

Results:

Men’s singles quarterfinals: Wajid Ali (Wapda) bt Asadullah (KPT) 15-1, 15-0, Umer Zeeshan (New Khan) bt Ali Yar Baig 15-10, 15-5, Waqas Ahmed (New Khan) bt Ashraf Masih 7-15, 15-6, 15-5, Aamir Islam (Wapda) bt Tariq Mehmood (KPT) 15-11, 11-15, 15-9.

Women’s singles quarterfinals: Asma Butt (Wapda) bt Farzana Malik (Punjab) 11-5, 11-0, Ayesha Akram (NBP) bt Mahira (Wapda), Uzma Butt (Wapda) bt Shazia (Wapda) 11-2, 11-6, Shamim Akhtar (PIA) bt Farzana (Wapda) 11-4, 11-7.