All top seeded players Aqeel Khan, Jalil Khan, Yasir Khan and Muhammad Abid Mushtaq qualified for the semi-finals of the ongoing first Aisam-ul-Haq Master Tennis Championship 2011 after encountering their respective challengers here at PTF Tennis Complex on Tuesday.
Top seed Aqeel Khan did not face any barrier to move ahead in the next round and eliminated Muhammad Waqas Malak in straight sets after displaying excellent game and hitting some powerful forehand and backhand drives from baseline.
Later, in the other fixture of men’s singles, second seed Jalil Khan bounced back in the game after losing the median game at 6-3 in which he made a number of unforced errors against Muhammad Abid Ali.
In the second set, Jalil changed his strategy and came from behind to overcome his opponent. Rest of two sets, Jalil won without conceding a solitary game at 6-0 and 6-0. In the third encounter of the men’s singles event Muhammad Abid Mushtaq defeated Usman Rafiq in the straight sets with the score-line of 6-3 and 6-0 without any resistance to secure his berth in the top-four stage of national tennis showpiece. Now he will meet second seed Jalil Khan in the semi-final on Wednesday (today) at same venue.
Meanwhile, third seed Yasir Khan had to struggle to qualify for the semi-final and overcame Shahzad Ahmed by 2-1 in the well contested three sets fairs, as it was the only thrilling match of the championship in the men’s singles category so far. The final scoreline was 6-7, 6-4 and 6-3. Today, Yasir will face top seed Aqeel Khan in the semi-final. In the women’s event, Saba Aziz, Ruksana Fazal, Kunsha Babar and Sara Mansoor also qualified for the semi-finals. Top seed Saba Aziz proved too good for Javeria and won her match in straight set 2-0 with the scoreline of 6-0 and 6-0. Ruksana Fazal eliminated Shagufta Mahboob by 2-0, while Kunsha Babar got walkover against Rubab Rahim. In the boys’ under-18, Hasnain Manzoor claimed an upset victory after eliminating fourth seed Kashan-ul-Haq of Islamabad in a thrilling two set match. The scoreline was 6-4 and 7-6(9)..
Results
Men’s Singles (Quarter-Finals): Aqeel Khan bt Waqas Malik 6-2, 6-0, Yasir Khan bt Shahzad 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-3, Muhammad Abid bt Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-0, Jalil Khan bt Muhammad Abid Ali 3-6, 6-0, 6-0
Women’s Singles (Quarter-Finals): Saba Aziz bt Javeria 6-0, 6-0, Kunsha Babar w/o Rubab Rahim, Ruksana Fazal bt Shagufta Mahboob 6-1, 6-0, Sara Mansoor bt M Drakshan 6-2, 6-2
Boys’ Under-18 Singles (Quarter-Finals): Muhammad Abid bt Fahad Mehmood 6-0, 6-1, Ahmed Choudhary bt Syed Zohair Raza 6-2, 6-3, Hasnain Manzoor bt Kashan-ul-Haq 6-4, 7-6(9), Usman Rafiq bt Muhammad Mudasir 6-0, 6-2
Boys’ Under-14 Singles (Quarter-Finals): Muhammad Mudasir bt Jibran ullah Khan 6-2, 6-4, Zaid Mujahid bt Hashim Khan 6-2, 6-1, Muhammad Muzamil bt Talha Bin Asif 4-6, 6-0, 6-4, Hasnain Manzoor bt Talha Sohail 6-0, 6-2
