PESHAWAR – Top seeded Aqeel Khan reached the pre-quarterfinals of the 30th Chief of Air Staff Khyber Open Tennis Championship after defeating Aftab Anwar 6-1, 6-2 here at the hard courts of the Qayyum Sports Complex on Monday. Aqeel, who could not finish his match on Sunday due to rain, did not give any chance to Aftab Anwar in the one-sided affair. Aqeel exhibited perfect smashes by putting Aftab Anwar on the back foot. His cross-court smashes were a treat to watch for the capacity crowd present on the occasion. After Aqeel marched into the pre-quarters, his younger brother Jalil Khan defeated qualifier Sana Ullah 6-2, 6-0. Having the advantage of a superb serve, Jalil fully dominated the proceedings and won the battle very easily.
In the other matches, Davis Cupper Hamid-ul-Haq defeated Sikander Hayat 6-2, 6-0. Meanwhile, Waheel Khan of PAF beat Hayat Ullah of KP 6-2, 6-3, Inam Ullah of PAF beat Mubariq Shah 6-3, 6-3, Sadam-ul-Haq defeated Imjad Khan 6-1, 7-6 (7-0) in a tie breaker, while Pakistan junior team player Umar Babar of Lahore beat Taimur Mehmood of Army 7-5, 6-1 in a thrilling encounter. In the under-18 first round matches, Muhammad Abid of Lahore secured victory against Ali, also from Lahore. The final score was 6-3, 6-2. The match provided some great entertainment for the spectators as Muhammad Abid and Ali exhibited perfect rallies and forceful smashes, while some beautiful serves were also witnessed.
Ahmad Babar beat Bilal Khan of KP 6-2, 6-0, Rashad Khan of KP beat Shahbaz Tariq 6-1, 6-2, Imtiaz Khalil of KP beat Tahir Ullah 6-0, 6-0 and Ahmad Abid of Lahore beat Iftikhar of Police 6-3, 6-3. The quarter-final matches would be organised on the grass courts of the PAF Officers’ Mess, according to Director PAF Sports Control Board Group Captain Farooq Ahmad. He said the matches have been shifted due to the rain.
