ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Top seed Shahzad Khan and unseeded Alamgir Wali checked into the boys singles final of the ITF Pakistan International Junior Tennis Championship at the Islamabad Club Friday with three-set victories over their semifinal opponents.
Shahzad found the going tough against Kirati Sirbutwong of Thailand, who made him sweat for a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 win while Alamgir showed seventh seed Wasif Cheema the door, scoring a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 win.
The girls doubles crown went to the Chinese team of Shuang Wu and Shuai Zhang who faced little problem in outplaying the Sri Lankan duo of Jancy Paramanathan and Nawchali Desilva 6-4, 6-1.
The boys doubles competition reached the home stretch with Shahzad Khan and Wasif Cheema moving into the final, knocking out Kirati Siributwong and Narucha Wannabovorn 6-2, 6-1.
Also going through were Nishinderan NS and Godamanne Harshana who eliminated Ashiq Munir and S. Kumail Rizvi 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
In the boys singles, Shahzad raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set but Kirati not only levelled the score with a fine display of strokes but also went on to take the set 6-4.
In the second set, both players held their serve till the scores reached 6-6 and it had to be decided on a tie-break with Shahzad winning 7-6.
The third set featured excellent forehand and backhand drives from both players but Shahzad had the last say, taking the set 7- 5 in a match that lasted two hours and 30 minutes.
The boys singles final is to be played Sunday at 3.15pm.
GIRLS DOUBLES FINALS: Shuang Wu-Shuai Zhang bt Jancy Paramanathan- Nawchali Desilva 6-4, 6-1
BOYS SINGLES SEMIFINALS: Shahzad Khan bt Kirati Sirbutwong 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5; Alamgir Wali bt Wasif Cheema 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
BOYS DOUBLES SEMIFINALS: Shahzad Khan-Wasif Cheema bt Kirati Siributwong-Narucha Wannabovorn 6-2, 6-1; Nishendiran NS-Godmanne Harshana bt Ashiq Munir-S Kumail Rizvi 7-6 (7-5), 6-2