Pakistan’s Davis Cupper Samir Iftikhar winning streak was halted by top seeded and British Number 12 Richard Boolmfield who is ranked currently 371th and formerly 176th on ATP World Tour in the semifinals. But not before he was fully extended in the first set by the 19-year-old youngster who had made his maiden appendance on the international men’s circuit at Aegon British Tour Cardiff Championships being held at Welsh Tennis Center Cardiff UK from May 23 to 26.
The fate of the first set hung in balance and fierce battle was witnessed between the higher ranked seasoned ATP players and Samir who gave full resistance to the Brit by engaging him in powerful long baseline rallies where both players went on to hold their serves held till 6-all when Samir broke strings of his last racket in his procession and had to play the tie-break with borrowed racket which resulted in 0/7 loss in tiebreak and the 2nd set loss 2/6.
The dejected Samir told the correspondent: “I am really disappointed as I had all the chances to win this match till I broke the strings of my 3rd racket at start of tie-break but on the other hand I am very pleased that the tough NCAA Intervarsity Tennis Circuit in USA this year with guidance of my University Tennis Coach Alan Dils I have really got the mental toughness and improved my skills. The previous two wins on ATP players in this tournament have given me lots of confidence that I can compete against the big guys in future.
“I plan to play the Aegon British Tour Circuit and have lined up tournaments till August. I have limited financial resources and only WAPDA and MEPCO are supporting me to my quest to come on top for which I am really thankful. With a stipend for which I am very thankful I hope the PTF, Govt and corporate sector after noticing my performance will sponsor me for these tournaments which are vital for me to gain international exposure and bring laurels to Pakistan like my cousin Aisamul Haq.”
