Farhan, Aamir Atlas in Pakistan Open Squash final

ISLAMABAD - Top seed Farhan Mehboob and second seed Aamir Atlas Khan entered the final of the Pakistan Open Squash Championship 2008 on Thursday at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad. The final will be played on Friday (today) at the same venue. World number 29, Farhan Mehboob thrashed compatriot Safeerullah Khan, who posted an upset win in the quarter-final by beating Kashif Shujah 3-2, in straight games 3-0 in the first semi-final of the men's fixture while second seed Aamir Atlas Khan overcame Mansoor Zaman 3-1 in the second semi-final at the same venue to reach in the final of Pakistan Open Squash Championship 2008.   In the first semi-final, Farhan had no need to work hard in the court to show exit to lowly ranked Safeerullah Khan, as he (Farhan) hit some powerful drives to win the first game 11-8. He did not allow his challenger to settle in the court through out the game. In the second game, loser crawled behind Farhan and could score only three points. Farhan kept the pressure on Safeer in the third game that ended 11-7 in the favour of Farhan, who displayed top quality game. He conceded seven points in the third game, as the final score-line was 11-8, 11-3, 11-7. Farhan will take on Aamir Atlas Khan in the final on Friday (today) at the same venue at 4pm. Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, world number 34, Aamir Atlas Khan outplayed Mansoor Zaman in a well-contested 4-game affair after a 53 minutes fight in Mushaf Squash Complex. First two games were decided on tiebreak, as both the high ranked national squash players showed their peak performance to move into the final. Aamir snatched first game at 12-10 while in the second game, Mansoor ousted Aamir at 14-12. The winner was looking very aggressive in the rest part of the match and finished the last two game with similar score 11-9 and 11-9. The third game was tightly fought but a couple of errors downed Mansoor. The final score-line was 12-10, 12-14, 11-9, 11-9. In the women's semi-finals, Christina Mak of Hong Kong and Heba Eltorky from Egypt set to play final after beating Sara Elnoamany from Egypt 3-0 and Joe Chan from Hong Kong 3-1 respectively in the first and second semi-final. Dr. Saeeda Assad ullah, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women's University Rawalpindi, graced the second semi-final as a chief guest. Senior vice President, Pakistan squash Federation (PSF), Air vice Marshall, Syed Asim Suleman was also present on this eve. Results: Christina Mak (Hong Kong) beat Sara Elnoamany (Egypt) 12-10, 11-7, 11-3 (33 Minutes), Heba Eltorky (Egypt) beat Joe Chan (Hong Kong) 13-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4 (33 Minutes). Men's event: Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) beat Safeer Ullah Khan (Pakistan) 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 (20 Minutes), Aamir Atlas (Pakistan) beat Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) 12-10, 12-14, 11-9, 11-9 (53 Minutes). Today's fixture: Christina Mak (Hong Kong) Vs Heba Eltorky (Egypt) 1200 Hours, Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) Vs Aamir Atlas (Pakistan) 1600 Hours.

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