Shoaib enters World Junior Tennis quarterfinals

ISLAMABAD: Young local talent Muhammad Shoaib caused ripples sidelining third seed Indian Neema Arthav on his way to boys’ single quarterfinals in the Syed Tajammul Abbas ITF Pakistan World Junior Ranking Tennis Championships at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex, Islamabad.

In Tuesday’s pre-quarters, 15-year old Shoaib sent Neema packing with an easy 6-1, 6-2 win. Shoaib was so accurate with baseline approach that he gave no opportunity to Indian to make a match of pre quarters. His double-handed forehand winners backed by down the line shots were a treat to watch. “Unlike the first round match, here in the second round I played much consistent game that helped me carved out easy win,” Shoaib said. He hoped to continue with the same vein.

The youngster from Peshawar who possibly is the best talent around in his age also sent in some rasping cross-court shots to stun seeded player.Also moving into the quarter-finals were Ahmed Zyaan(GBR), Huzafia Abdul Rehman(PAK), Chen Wei Chen(TPE), Saqib Hayat (PAK), Rattanan Siritaworchar (THA), Faisal Ghous (CAN) and Suresh Darrshan (Malaysia). Top seed Ahmed Zyaan got better of Hamza Bin Rehan in a well-contested two-set match 7-6(2), 6-3. Second seed Suresh Darrshan was too good for Moosa Chourhry during his 6-1, 6-2 win.

Qualifier Huzafia Abdul Rehman upset sixth seed Nouman Aftab in straight set 6-3, 6-4. Local lad Saqib Hayat also moved into the quarter final by winning his match against Wen Yi Chou (TPE) in another interesting three-set match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Rattanan Siritaworchar (THA) also checked into the quarter finals following yet another exciting win against Ahmed Asjad Qureshi. Asjad was leading 5-2 in the final set but could not maintain the pace. Thai player not only leveled the score he went on to win the set in tie break. Faisal Ghous (Canada) registered straight set win against Sami Zeb. Chen Wei Chen (TPE) beat Zalan Khan (PAK) in another straight set match 6-1, 6-1. Boys’ singles & girls singles quarter finals will be played Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Girls doubles semi finals are scheduled at 1:30 PM followed by Boys’ doubles quarter finals at 2:30 PM.

Results: Boys singles pre-quarters: Ahmed Zyaan (GBR) bt Hamza Bin Rehan (PAK) 7-6(2), 6-3; Huzafia Abdul Rehman (PAK) bt Muhammad Numan Aftab (PAK) 6-3, 6-4; Muhammad Shoaib (PAK) bt Arthav Neema (IND) 6-1, 6-2; Cheng Wei-Chen (TPE) bt Zalan Khan (PAK) 6-1, 6-1; Saqib Hayat (PAK) bt Chou, Wen-Yi (TPE) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Rattanan Siritaworchar (THA) bt Ahmed Asjad Qureshi (PAK) 3-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(5); Faisal Ghous (CAN) bt Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) 7-5, 6-1; Suresh Darrshan (MAS) bt Moosa Choudhry 6-1, 6-2

Boys doubles 1st Round: Muhammad Nouman Aftab (PAK)/Yee Mathew ((HKG) bt Sami Zeb Khan (PAK)/Subhan Bin Salik (PAK) 6-3, 7-5; Cheng Wei Chen (TPE)/Chou Wen Yi (TPE) bt Moosa Choudhary (PAK)/Zalan Khan (PAK) 6-0, 6-0; Chang Cameron Austin (USA)/Cheng Hsuni Lui (TPE) w/o M.Shehryar Ahmed & M.Zaryab Khan (PAK); Muhammad Shoaib (PAK)/Saqib Hayat (PAK) bt Hamza bin Rehan (PAK)/Ahmed Kamil (PAK) 7-5, 6-7(3), 10-8.

Girls doubles quarterfinals: Mert Aysegul (TUR)/Toglukdemir Mina (TUR) bt Shimza Durab (PAK)/Srujana Rayarala (IND) 6-0, 6-3; Aksu Semra (TUR)/Bilgic Sedef (TUR) bt Nida Akram (PAK) Zahara Suleman (PAK) 6-0, 6-0; Ozseker Sevval (TUR)/Piwbangruk Natthapat (THA) w/o Zoha Asim (PAK) & Lajos Anna (HUN).