Aqeel, Abid in Kulsum Saifullah tennis final

KARACHI: Favourite Aqeel Khan and fourth seed Mohammad Abid won their semi-final matches of the Kulsum Saifullah Khan National ranking tennis championships in Islamabad on Friday.

Aqeel dropped a set against his unseeded opponent Ahmed Chaudhry before registering a 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 triumph.

Abid pulled off an upset, beating second seed Shahzad Khan in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2.

In the ladies’ singles semi-finals, third seed Ushna Suhail avenged her previous two losses to Sarah Mahboob Khan to win the match in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.

In the final, Ushna will face Sara Mansoor, who defeated Mahin Aftab 6-2, 6-3.

Both the finalists, Ushna and Sara, have been selected to represent Pakistan in the South Asian Games women’s tennis event in India early next month. Sarah Mahboob Khan and Iman Qureshi are the other members of the women team.

In junior 18 and Under singles semi-finals, Haris beat Shoaib Khan 6-2, 6-1. Aman Attique thrashed Yousaf Khan 6-2, 6-1.

In Boys 14 and under singles semi-finals, Shoaib Khan overpowered Nalain Abbas 6-0, 6-1. Sami Zaib defeated Abdullah 6-2, 6-4.

In men’s doubles’ semi-finals, Shahzad Khan and Yasir Khan defeated the duo of Mudasir Murtaza and Muzamil Murtaza 6-1, 6-1. Mohammad Abid and Heera Ashiq elbowed out the pair of Aqeel Khan and Ahmed Chaudhry 6-1, 6-3.