Shoaib stuns Indian to enter quarters

ISLAMABAD: Talented Muhammad Shoaib caused ripples in the tennis circles by sidelining third seed Indian Neema Arthav on his way to boys’ singles quarter-finals in the Syed Tajammul Abbas ITF Pakistan World Junior Ranking Tennis Championships here at Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex.

In Tuesday’s pre-quarter-finals, 15-year old Shoaib sent Neema packing with an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory. 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 the 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 the better of Hamza Bin Rehan 7-6(2), 6-3 in a well-contested two-set match. Second seed Suresh Darrshan was too good for Moosa Chaudhry during his 6-1, 6-2 win.

Qualifier Huzafia Abdul Rehman upset sixth seed Nouman Aftab 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets. Local lad Saqib Hayat also moved into the quarter-finals by winning his match against Wen Yi Chou (TPE) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in another interesting three-set match.

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 levelled the score he went on to win the set in a tie break.Faisal Ghous (Canada) registered straight sets win against Sami Zeb. Chen Wei Chen (TPE) beat Zalan Khan (Pak) 6-1, 6-1 in another straight sets match.

Boys and girls singles quarter-finals will be played today (Wednesday) at 10am. Girls’ doubles semi-finals are scheduled at 1:30pm followed by boys’ doubles quarter-finals at 2:30pm.

Results: Boys’ single 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 Chaudhry 6-1, 6-2.

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

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