Aqeel storms into Masters semis

Pakistan number one ‘lucky to be playing in the same era as Aisam’.

KARACHI:

Top-seed Aqeel Khan cruised into the semi-finals of the Aisamul Haq Masters Tennis Championship 2011 when he thrashed Waqas Malik 6-0, 6-0.

In the other quarter-finals, Jalil Khan overcame Abid Ali 3-6, 6-0, 6-0, Yasir Khan managed a 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over Shahzad in a close match, as Mohammad Abid outplayed Usman Rafiq 6-3, 6-0 to book a place in the last-four.

Aqeel, who has been touted as the tournament favourite, continued his good form in the event against Malik. The country’s top-ranked player felt that the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) had set a good precedent in recognising the efforts of Aisamul Haq Qureshi by naming a tournament after him.

“I think I’m lucky to be playing in the same era as Aisam,” Aqeel told The Express Tribune. “Having a tournament named after any athlete is an honour and I feel that the PTF has started a good tradition. I feel proud of Aisam as a friend. We have been playing the Davis Cup together for the last 12 years and we’ve never had any problems with each other. I’m participating in the tournament because I support Aisam.”

Meanwhile, in the women’s quarter-finals, Saba Aziz outclassed Javeria 6-0, 6-0 and Rukhsana Fazal defeated Shagufta Mahboob 6-1, 6-0. Sara Mansoor also progressed in the next round when she outplayed Darakshan 6-2, 6-2 while Kunsha Babar got a walkover against Rubab Rahim.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2011.