Ranking Tennis: Malik, Talha in next round

LAHORE: Rashid Malik and Talha Waheed had easy sailing in their respective age categories of the 34th Maple Leaf Cement Pakistan ITF Seniors Ranking Tennis Championship here at the PLTA grass courts on Tuesday.

In 45 plus men’s singles category Rashid Mailk was up against Sajjad Rasool of Aitchison College. Malik played superb tennis to outpace his spirited opponent Sajjad 6-2, 6-2 to move into the next round.

In another match of this category, Hassan Saeed overpowered struggling Fayyaz Khan 6-2, 6-0.In 40 plus men’s singles, Talha Waheed outperformed Humayun Rana 6-1, 6-4. Talha started the first set in great style and put his opponent under tremendous pressure to win the set 6-1. In the second set, Talha had to struggle a bit hard to overcome his spirited opponent by 6-4. In the second match of the same category, Shehryar Salamat had to struggle hard to beat M Shakeel 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.

In 35 plus men’s singles, Zohaib Raza edged out Mehboob Waheed 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 while in the second match of this category, Usama Waheed got walk- over against Haider Khan. In the 35 plus men’s doubles, Usama Waheed and Talha Waheed (Gas & Oil) outscored Humayon Rana and Zohaib Raza by 6-1, 6-1.

In 60 plus men’s singles, Ghazanfar Ali played well against M Babar and defeated his opponent 6-4, 6-4 while in 65 plus men’s singles, Asad Niaz overwhelmed M Saeed Ikram by 6-0, 6-0. PLTA Secretary Rashid Malik had earlier inaugurated the event.