KARACHI:
Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal stormed into the semi-finals of the $10,000 PSA Emerson Racquet Club Pro Series, thrashing Netherland’s Sebastian Weenink in straight sets in St Louis, Missouri.
Iqbal — the competition’s top seed — was made to work hard for his victory as two of the three games were closely fought by Weenink.
However, he managed to seal the win with scores of 11-9, 11-7 and 12-10 in 45 minutes. Iqbal will now face Mexico’s Arturo Salazar in search of a place in the final.
Along with Iqbal, the other top players marched unharmed to setup an exciting semi-final show.
Compatriot Hamzah Shah Bukhari was downed by second seed Raphael Kandra (from Germany) 3-0 after putting up an impressive fight in all three games.
Kandra was taken to tie-breaks in all three sets as seventh-seed Bukhari toiled in his bid for a surprise semi-final slot. However, Kandra held his nerve to close play 12-10, 12-10 and 12-10 after 70 minutes.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2014.
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