KARACHI, Oct 19: All the national seeds cruised into the next round of the NBP National Tennis Championship at the Karachi Gymkhana courts.

Pakistan’s number one player Aqeel Khan thrashed Noor Rehman in straight sets while his younger brother Yasir, who recently returned from Barcelona after training, tamed Malik Hamza also in straight sets.

M. Abid, who travelled from Lahore to participate in this event and is third in national ranking, won his match against Iltefat Ahmed.

Vinod Das, who is a seasoned player in Sindh circuit, was shocked by Mohammad Manzar, a coach of Karachi Gymkhana, in the second-round match of the men’s singles.

Talha Abrar also reached the next round after he was awarded a walkover against Usman Ijaz of Islamabad who failed to run up despite confirmation.

Hassan Riaz of Lahore also reached the next round after getting a walkover against Tariq Jan. Murad Khan, a ball picker of Modern Club, enjoyed being on winning side against Noor Rehman in the first round match of boys’ U-18.

Murad won the first set easily. However, he had to face stiff resistance from his opponent in the second set.

Murad won this match in the tie break. Imad Amir of Lahore defeated Hassan Ali in the boys’ U-18 clash. Nazif Ahmed lost to Aqeel Shabbir in straight sets.

Sahar Khawaja scored a convincing victory over young Kinza Ghanchi in the first match of ladies singles. Sahar was too good to her opponent. Rida Khalid of Lahore won her match against Uroosa Ahmed while Urooj Iltefat emerged victorious against Mahnoor Jamshed.—Agencies