KARACHI, March 29: Iltifat Ahmed, a retired naval officer, overcame Akhter Aliman in three-set marathon battle to surge into next round of 45 plus singles in the 14th Seniors’ world ranking tennis championship which commenced at Karachi Gymkhana courts on Monday evening.

Iltifat conceded the second set on way to register 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory over his opponent.

Similarly, Afaq Ahmed accounted for Hyderabad’s Noorullah Dhanani in same fashion 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.

Earlier, the event was formally inaugurated by president of Karachi Gymkhana, Ali Rahim.

Results:45 plus singles:

First round: Maqsood Ismail bt Asfand Yar Minwala 6-1, 6-0; Khalid bt Akber Hayat Khan 6-1, 6-4; Iltifat Ahmed bt Akhter Aliman 6-4, 4-6, 6-3; Afaq Ahmed bt Noorullah Dhanani (Hyderabad) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3; Sabih Wali bt Khalid Mustaghees 6-1, 6-3; Shafiullah bt Qamer Habib (Hyderabad) 6-1, 6-2.