ISLAMABAD: A quartet of Pakistani players, along with Sri Lankan Yanishkhe Cooray, won their last-16 matches on the opening day of the main round of the ATF Pakistan U-14 Tennis Championship.

Joining Sameer Ahmed, Mohammad Dada, Shoaib Khan, Amin Shafi and Cooray in the quarter-finals here at the PTF Complex were Huzaifa Abdul Rehman, Hamza Bin Rehan and England’s Muhammad Said — with the trio advancing through a walkover.

The walkovers came after the 16-player field was reduced to 13.

“We are holding this international event after a long period of time, that’s why 13 players are participating in it as IPN is required but there must be more national and international players to participate in such events,” said Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) secretary Khalid Rehmani.

Wild card entrant Sameer defeated Malaysia’s Yi Shen Wee, (wild card entrant) comfortably 6-1, 6-3 with the Pakistani remaining dominant in the first game. However, the Sri Lankan, in the second game, did not give in and played some quality strokes. But Sameer did not let him settle overcoming his rival 6-3.

On the other hand, Dada defeated Subhan Bin Rehan 6-2, 6-1 with Shoaib securing a 6-3, 6-0 win over Sami Zaib Khan while Amin Shafi outclassed Nalain Abbas 6-1, 6-1 in their one-sided match.

Earlier, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event, PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan urged the government to support the PTF financially as it had to spend huge amount on sending teams abroad and playing Davis Cup ties at natural venues.

Pakistani players had been faced with all sorts of odds, for they had been deprived of international events at home, he added.

“Results cannot be improved if the government does not come to the rescue of Pakistan tennis with reasonable financial support,” he further said.

Apart from scores of spectators, PTF patron Dilawar Abbas, vice-president Khawar Hyat, Davis Cuppers Inamul Haq and Hameedul Haq were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2016