Top seed Aqeel Khan, Yasir Khan, Shahzad Khan, Hamid-ul-Haq, Asim Shafik and Sanaullah advanced into the second round of the Men’s Singles event of the 27th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championship here at PTF Tennis Complex on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in the Under-18 Boy’s Singles, Muhammad Abid, Saad Zafar, Faizan Khurram, Arham Attique, Muhammad Mudassar, Kashan-ul-Haq, Rizwan Ahmed and Ahmed Babar secured their berths in the quarterfinals.
Ahmed Babar from Lahore caused the major upset of the tournament by eliminating second seed Usman Rafiq after three sets competition. Ahmed was in full command in the final set and hit number of winners and won the final set at 6-0 without conceding a single game. He will face Rizwan Ahmed in the quarterfinal. Later, in the Boy’s Under-14, Muhammad Mudassar, Haris Ifranul Haq, Hamza Bin Asif, Aman Attique, Talah Sohail, Talah Bin Asif, Hafiz Arbab and Hasnain Manzoor advanced into the quarterfinals after winning their respective matches. Hafiz Arbab of Lahore eliminated Shoaib Khan of Peshawar in a thrilling three set match.
In the Ladies event, Saba Aziz, Heera Hajra, Iman Qureshi, Rukshana, Nehal Hafeez, Mehak Khokhar, Humera Saeed and Sara Mansoor booked their places in the quarterfinals. In the Men’s Doubles, Aqeel Khan pairing with his younger brother Jalil Khan, Sanaullah Khan pairing with Taimor Mehmood, Usman Ejaz with Imran Shaoukat, Shahzad Khan with Yasir Khan qualified for the top-four stage of the event after beating their respective opponents in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
Results: Men’s Singles (Round-I): Aqeel Khan beat Malik Abdul Rahman 6-3, 6-0, Faizan Khurram beat Saad Mubarik 6-0, 6-4, Shahzad Khan beat Jibran-ul-Haq 7-5, 6-3, Raja Shahid beat Inamullah 6-2, 6-0, Asim Shafik beat Ahmed Babar 6-4, 6-0, Yasir Khan beat Arham Attique 6-3, 6-2, Hamid-ul-Haq beat Zakirullah Khan 6-0, 6-0, Sanaullah beat Wakeel Khan 6-4 6-4.
Men’s Doubles (Round-I):
Shahid Afridi and Mehmood Khan beat Heera Ashiq and Sadan-ul-Haq 7-5, 7-5.
Men’s Doubles Quarter Finals:
Aqeel Khan and Jalil Khan beat Shahid Afridi and Mehmood Khan 6-2, 6-4, Sanaullah and Taimor Mehmood beat Irfanullah and Shahzad 6-2, 6-1, Usman Ejaz and Imran Shaukat beat Hasan Riaz and Saad Mubarik 6-3, 6-4, Shahzad Khan and Yasir Khan beat Jehanzeb Khan and Abdul Rahman Malik 6-2, 6-1.
