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ITF Amman Junior World Ranking Championship
LAHORE: Pakistan's tennis wonder boy, Samir Iftikhar made his country proud by winning his first maiden singles title, ITF Amman international junior world ranking championship, defeating Tom Dieddrich of Luxemburg 3-6,6-2, 6-3 in the final on Saturday at Amman, Jordan.
Youthful Samir hit the lime light by claiming the first ever title of his tennis career last week ,winning the Doubles title in first ITF Amman international ranking tournament at the same venue, said the information made available here.
The thrilling three setter match was witnessed by large holiday crowd on the centre court which enjoyed breath taking baseline rallies as both players fought with unyielding resolve.
"I am really thrilled and happy to win the first singles title of my career and I am very optimistic to build on to this success by doing better in coming international junior events and I am fully committed to maintain the flow of my present form ",said Samir after the match.
"I did not give up despite opening set loss and I had just one thought in my mind that I can make it and I can beat him (Tom) and eventually it happened because I played flawless tennis in remaining part of the match and made lesser mistakes", he added.
It was Tom who got the first service break in the 7th game by producing brilliant running forehand cross court to at break point to lead 5/3 and he closed the set by holding serve with authority.
It seemed one sided affair for Tom but Samir came back fighting in the 2nd set by changing strategy and raising his game to different level by attacking the net and changing pace which had unsettling effect on his opponent who was broken twice in the 3rd and 7th games by sizzling passing shots and volleys by Samir who took the set with ease and comfort. The Third set was fought out by both players gallantly and Tom trailed 3/4 on his serve and was broken by magnificent down the line passing shot at break point and Samir served out the match with big serves and volleys and clinched the first title for his country.
He is the second Pakistani player after Aisam ul Haq who received a travel fund from International Tennis Federation which is only given to players whom ITF believe have the potential to come to top 100 professionally.
Meanwhile President, Pakistan Tennis Federation, Syed Dilawar Abbas and President, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, Rao Iftikhar have congratulated Samir on winning the title bringing good name for the country.-APP
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