Pakistan’s future hope and Davis Cupper proved his fitness in a five-set marathon match against one of the country’s top seeded players Jalil Khan at the PAF courts Islamabad. The 19-year old Samir, who reached Pakistan last week from the UK on the invitation of the PTF to join the Davis Cup training camp under supervision of US-based coach Jalil Raiz, hardly had any time to adapt to hot and humid conditions. But despite climatic change he overcome lay-off of one month from competitive tennis to show remarkable fighting qualities and fitness and came from two sets down to take Jalil Khan to five sets in which he led 3/1 in the final set and held match point at 6-5 and eventuality went down fighting at 7-9.
The match lasted nearly four hours and the PTF selection committee which has retained the winning team of Aisamul Haq, Aqil Khan, Yasir Khan and Samir Iftikhar has decided to test Samir’s fitness by playing the best of five sets match against Jalil and other players.
The winning team against Hong Kong Tie consist of Aisamul Haq, Aqil Khan, Samir Iftikhar, Yasir Khan but the PTF selection committee and Coach Jalil Raiz wanted to make sure that 19 years Samir is fit enough for back up for crucial Davis Cup Tie being held in Seoul, South Korea from July 8 to 10 .
Amman Asghar, PTF chief coordinator has congratulated Samir for playing a great match and displaying fighting qualities to have a place in the Devis Cup team.
Pakistan’s former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik, international coach Mehboob Khan also praised the youngster’s performance under the circumstances.
Samir, while taking to Pakistan Today, said: “I am very happy with my performance against Jalil even though I have lost the match I have come after layoff of one month but the training in the Davis Cup camp under Coach Jalil Raiz will help me gain my form. I would be ready to serve my country if needed.”
He further said: “I really appreciate the phone call of encouragement to me be by the PTF Coordinator Amman Asghar for his invitation to join the camp.
