ISLAMABAD = Top seeded players Saqib Umer, Ahmad Asjad, Asad Ullah and M Shoaib moved into the semifinals of the boys U-18 singles of the McDonalds National Junior Tennis Championships 2017 after defeating their respective opponents here at Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.

In boys U-18 singles quarterfinals, Saqib Umer defeated Ilham Khan 6-1, 7-5; Ahmad Asjad beat Hasheesh Kumar 6-4, 7-5; Asad Ullah routed Aqib Umer 6-3, 6-1 and M Shoaib thrashed Subhan Bin Salik 6-1, 6-1. Saqib will face Ahmad, while M Shoaib will take on Asad in the semifinals.

In girls U-18 first semifinal, Shimza Tahir crushed Bismina 6-0, 6-0 while in the second semifinal, Esha Jawad also completely outclassed her opponent Sheeza Sajid 6-0, 6-0. Now Shimza will vie against Esha in the final.

In boys U-14 event, unseeded Hasheesh Kumar made the major upset, when he eliminated top seed Sami Zaib in the semifinal. Hasheesh won the first set 7-5 by playing quality tennis from the baseline. In the second set, Hasheesh didn’t allowe Sami to settle down and took the set 6-4. In the second semifinal another un-seeded Hamid Israr stunned second seed Abdul Hanan in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.