LAHORE, July 23: Top seed Wajid Ali will meet national champion Omar Zeeshan in the men’s singles final while Asma Butt takes on Farzana Saleem in the women’s final after winning their semifinals of the All-Pakistan Ameer Abdullah Khan Rokri badminton tournament at New Khan Hall on Saturday.
Former national champion Wajid maintained his domination, beating giant-killer Ijaz Ahmed 15-7, 15-1 in the semifinal. Ijaz, who beat fifth seed Aamir Islam in the quarterfinals, failed to face Wajid with same authority.
Wajid’s strong smashing and excellent reach helped him earn an easy win. He led 9-5 in the first set to win 15-5 and dropped only one point in the second set to seal the fate of the match.
Omar, however, faced some resistance before defeating Waqas Ahmad 15-13, 15-8 in 45-minute semifinal. Waqas gave stiff challenge in the first game and led 13-11 at one stage. Omar came back to make it 13-all before earning two more points to win the opening set 15-13.
Omar did not allow Waqas to settle down and won the second 15-8.
In the first women’s singles semifinals, Asma Butt defeated Saima Manzoor 11-4, 11-7. Asma was on the offensive from the beginning which helped her win the match.
Farzana Saleem defeated Saira Khan 11-7, 11-5 in the second semifinal.
Results:
Mens doubles (quarterfinals): Ali Yar Baig-Noman bt Naeem and Shafiq 15-2, 15-9; Shabbar-Attiq bt Naveed-Shahid 15-9, 15-9; Rizwan- Kashif bt Danish- Kashhif; Amer Islam-Imran bt Zafar-Arshad 15-10, 15-13.
Mixed doubles semifinals: Waqas Ahmad-Saima Manzoor bt Ali Yar Baig-Ayesha Ikram 11-15, 15-12, 15-11; Wajid Ali and Sara bt Rizwan- Aimen 15-13, 15-3.
Men’s singles (semifinals): Wajid Ali bt Ijaz Ahmad 15-7, 15-1; Omar Zeeshan bt Waqas Ahmed 15-13, 15-8.
Ladies semifinals: Asma Butt bt Saima Manzoor 11-7, 11-4; Farzana Saleem bt Sara Khan 11-5, 11-7.