LAHORE: Little-known Mohammad Shoaib created shockwaves that reverberated across the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association Courts as he toppled Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan to reach the semi-finals of the Concepts Open National Tennis Championship on Thursday.

Aqeel, Pakistan’s seasoned Davis Cupper since 1998, has rarely been on the losing side on the domestic circuit for the last two decades and Shoaib became one of a select few who have defeated the 41-year-old after he won an hour-long slugfest 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

Coming into the tournament on the back of winning the Sapphire National Open last week, Aqeel lost the first set tamely. He regrouped and got back into the match but Shoaib eventually had too much for him.

Shoaib goes on to face Muzammil Murtaza, who lost to Aqeel in the final last week. The fast-rising Muzammil eased past Mohammad Abid 6-3, 6-4.

Other results:

Seniors’ doubles 40plus (semi-finals): Azhar Ali Khan/Talha Waheed bt Dr. Saeed/Bilal 6-0, 6-0; Fayyaz Khan/Arif Feroze bt Hassan Said/Rana Nadeem 7-5, 6-2.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2021