Israr moves into pre-quarter-finals

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Israr Ahmed moved into the pre-quarter-finals of British Junior Open in Sheffield on Sunday.

Israr, who recently won the US Junior Open, thrashed Jared London of England 11-6, 11-1, 11-2 in just 21 minutes in the second round of under-19 category. He will face Kyle Finch of England in the last-16 stage. Earlier, he smashed Ruweesha Jayawarden of Srilanka 11-3, 11-3, 11-1 in just 11 minutes in the first round.

If Israr wins the next match, he may face 5/8 seed Patrick Rooney of England in the quarter-finals of this championship in which over 400 competitors from more than 30 nations are participating.

In under-17 category, Oan Abbas smashed Maksymilian Wielgus of Poland 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 in 16 minutes; Mehran Javed was defeated by Adhitya Raghavan of India 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11 in 43 minutes; Mansoor Zaman was beaten by Mostafa Montaser of Egypt 5-11, 5-11, 7-11 in just 24 minutes; and Abdul Malik beat Roko Voncina (Cro) 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5 in 42 minutes. In the second round, Oan beat Huguo Mandil of France 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 12-10 in 39 minutes; Abdul Malik overpowered Yash Bhargava of India 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6 in 60 minutes; Mansoor won against Vojtech Ryba of Czech Republic 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4 in 34 minutes; and Mehran thrashed Aran Edwards of Wales 11-3, 11-2, 11-5 in just 15 minutes.

In the third round, Oan is drawn against Samuel Scherl of the US; Abdul Malik is up against Ziad Sakr of Egypt; Mansoor will play against Tyler Carney of the US; and Mehran is to face Toby Harding of England.

In the first round of under-13 category, Youssef Abdelfattah of Egypt defeated Ibtisam Riaz 9-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 13-11 in 50 minutes.