ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 Promising Samir Iftikhar cruised into the men's singles quarter-finals as he recorded a stunning win over national champion Yasir Khan in the Subh-e-Nau National Hard Court Tennis Championship at the Pakistan Sports Complex here on Thursday.
In the second-round encounter, 18-year-old Samir, who was born in England, thrashed Yasir 6-3, 6-4, proving his mettle while playing some good down-the-line winners.
In other second-round matches played on Thursday, Aqeel Khan recorded an easy 6-2, 6-2 win over Irfanullah.
Jaleel Khan, Shahzad Khan, Mohammad Abid, Heera Ashiq, Waqas Malik and ageing Hameed-ul-Haq also qualified for the last-eight stage of the championship.
Meanwhile, in the U-18 matches Heera Ashiq reached the quarter-finals defeating Hasnain Manzoor 6-1, 6-1.
Imtiaz Khalil, Samir Iftikhar, Ayaz Khan, Usman Rafique, Mohammad Abid, Aqil Khan and Malik Abdul Rehman also qualified for the U-18 quarter-finals.
In men's doubles, Aqeel Khan and Jalil Khan won their quarter-final against Sadan-ul-Haq and Imran Shaukat 6-3, 6-0.
In the other three quarter-finals, the Irfanullah/Shahzad duo overcame Shahid Afridi/Inamullah pair 6-4, 5-7 (10-8), Waqas Malik/Shehzad Khan beat Hasan Riaz/Usman Ijaz 6-4, 6-4 and Yasir Khan and Tanveer Ashiq outplayed Mohammad Abid and Usman Rafique 6-4, 6-3.
Mehaq Khokhar defeated Sara Ahmed 6-4, 6-3 in a first-round match of the ladies singles' category.
Results
Men's singles
Second round Aqeel Khan bt Irfanullah 6-2, 6-2; Shahzad Khan bt Imran Shaukat 6-1, 6-3; Samir Iftikhar bt Yasir Khan 6-3, 6-4; Mohammad Abid bt Gul Hamid 6-2, 6-1; Hameed-ul-Haq bt Kamran Khalil 6-0, 7-5; Heera Ashiq bt Tanveer Ashiq 7-5, 4-6, 7-5; Waqas Malik bt Asim Shafik 7-5, 3-6, 7-6; Jalil Khan bt Shahzad 6-4, 6-4.
Boys juniors U-18
Pre-quarterfinals Heera Ashiq bt Hasnain Manzoor 6-1, 6-1; Imtiaz Khalil bt Amanwal Anwar 6-3, 6-3; Samir Iftikhar bt Umar Sheikh 6-0, 6-1; Ayaz Khan bt Sajid Ali 5-7, 6-3, 6-4; Usman Rafique bt Umair Saeed Khan 6-1, 6-4; Mohammad Abid bt Mohammad Muzammil 6-1, 6-1; Aqil Khan bt Kashan-ul-Haq 6-2, 6-4; Malik Abdul Rehman bt Haseeb Yaqoob 6-2, 6-2.
Men's doubles
Quarter-finals Aqeel Khan/Jaleel Khan bt Sadan-ul-Haq/Imran Shaukat 6-3, 6-0; Irfanullah/Shahzad bt Shahid Afridi/Inamullah 6-4, 5-7 (10-8); Waqas Malik/Shehzad Khan bt Hasan Riaz/Usman Ijaz 6-4, 6-4; Yasir Khan/Tanveer Ashiq bt Mohammad Abid/Usman Rafique 6-4, 6-3.
Ladies singles
First round Mehaq Khokhar bt Sara Ahmed 6-4, 6-3.
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