Shabbir outplays Zulfiqar in 35-plus final

Published November 30, 2008

KARACHI, Nov 29: Top seed Shabbir Gul on Saturday ended the winning streak of Zulfiqar Hakeem, beating him in straight sets to claim the 35-plus singles title in the Pakistan International Seniors world ranking tennis championship at the Karachi Club.

Shabbir, who hails from Hyderabad, was home 6-3, 6-0 to bag the crown. Meanwhile, the 55-plus singles title went to Islamabad’s Gul Hameed who got the better of Iltifat Ahmed 6-4, 6-1. Hameed later paired with Sabih Wali to beat Akbar Hayat Khan and Jamil Khan 6-3, 6-2 for the 55 plus doubles title.

Davis Cupper Rashid Malik had earlier pocketed the 45-plus singles title when he edged Tahir Gul in the final.

The remaining two finals — 35-plus doubles and 45-plus doubles — have been deferred by the organisers.

Shahid Hussain and Asif Ismail are to face the winner of Rafi Darbari — Shabbir Gul and Altaf Hussain — Zulfiqar Hakeem in the 35-plus doubles final.The pair of Karim Gul Agha and Azheruddin will take on Altaf Hussain and Shahid Hussain in the 45-plus doubles final.

Results:

35-plus singles (final): Shabbir Gul (Hyderabad) bt Zulfiqar Hakeem 6-3, 6-0.

55-plus singles (final): Gul Hameed (Islamabad) bt Iltifat Ahmed 6-4, 6-1.

55-plus doubles (final): Gul Hameed and Sabih Wali bt Akbar Hayat Khan and Jamil Khan 6-3, 6-2.

35-plus doubles semi-final: Shahid Hussain and Asif Ismail bt K. V. N. Murthy and Ejaz Sarhadi 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.