PESHAWAR: The 36th edition of the Chief of the Air Staff Khyber Open Tennis Championship got under way at the PAF Officers Mess Courts here on Thursday.

Players from across the country are taking part in the prestigious championship being played at the well-prepared lush green grass courts.

More than 110 players vie for top honours in six different categories including U-10, U-14, U-18, men’s doubles, men’s singles and veterans.

On the opening day, qualifying round of the men’s singles was played wherein 64 players took part and eight qualified for the main round of 32.

In the U-18 category, a total of 32 players took part in the qualifying round wherein eight qualified for the main round of 32.

Shan Mehmood, Hasam Shoukat, Shayan Sharaz, Zeeshan, Faisal Afridi, Azhar Iftikahr, Hasam Khan and Mohammad Kashif took berth in the main round of the U-18 category.

In the men’s singles qualifying round, Ilham Khan defeated Hafiz Arbab 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 with the former playing well but faced tough resistance against Hafiz in the three-set battle.

In the second match, Bilal beat Amjad Nasir 6-1, 6-2, while Tahirullah defeated Faisal Iqbal 6-3, 7-5 (6-6).

Director of the PAF Sports Control Board Committee Group Captain Asghar Awan was the chief guest on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2017