Serena National Ranking Tennis C’ships

Seeded players sail into semis

By Our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Seeded players led by Pakistan No 1 Aqeel Khan made it to the semis of men’s singles in the Serena Hotels National Ranking Tennis Championships following Friday quarter-finals at the PTF Complex. In what turned out to be an exciting last four stage match, Muzammil Murtaza survived first set scare to beat spirited M Shoaib in three-set match 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Muzammil took time to settle down and in the process lost his grip on the first set where he managed to concede one serve while Shoaib retained his to go 1-0. Shoaib fighting spirit then started dying down. The rest of two sets were a mere formality for the Muzammil who managed easy points courtesy to his rasping fore and backhand shots. The powered packed play of his upset Shoaib who had no answer to retaliate and thus lost the next two in a one-sided affair. Heera Ashiq, Ahmad Ch and Aqeel Khan won their quarter-finals easily.

Sarah Mahboob Khan edged out Ushna Suhail in a three-set thriller to make it to the final of women’s singles. Sarah won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to set up final against Sara Mansoor who defeated Mehek Khokhar in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.