Sheharyar Grass Court Tennis qualifiers begin

LAHORE: The much-awaited prestigious event of Pakistan’s tennis circuit, 3rd Sheharyar Malik Memorial National Grass Court Tennis Championship 2019, began here at the Punjab Tennis Coaching Academy, Bagh-i-Jinnah on Monday.

Due to huge participation in the tournament, draw of 64 was chalked out for the qualifying place in open category. All the qualifying matches were contested at the grass courts. Top eight amongst the qualifiers will be included in the main draw of men’s singles. The formal inauguration of the championship will be held Tuesday at 4 pm here at the same venue. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik and Naeem Siddiqui will jointly inaugurate the event.

The players from across the country are taking part in the event in various categories including boys’ singles (u-12, U-14, U-18), men’s singles and doubles, ladies’ singles, men’s doubles (over 35 and 40), over-45 singles and over-60 doubles. Malik on the occasion said that as part of PLTA’s special campaign to uplift the standard of junior tennis and to provide maximum opportunity to the youngsters the events in U-6 and U-8 categories will also be included in the championship. Events of men’s singles, doubles, veterans and ladies singles will be conducted at grass courts whereas junior events will be commenced at the hard courts. Meanwhile Imran Bhatti and Ahmad Kamil qualified for the main draw of men’s singles. The rest of the qualifying matches will take place from Tuesday.