LAHORE Pakistans future hope and sensational junior Davis Cupper Samir Iftikhar kept his countrys flag flying high at the ITF Junior World Ranking Circuit by upsetting 7th seeded Karasstev Aslan of Russia in a hard fought three-set match on Thursday. Samir now reached the quarter-finals at the prestigious 30th ITF Grade-III Tashkent Open being held from April 5 to 10 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The British born 365th ranked youngster in his only the third appearance in the elite grade faced 250th World Ranked Russian in the round of 16. The match moved to indoors due to bad weather conditions. Playing against Aslan and the unsupportive crowd, Samir broke his seventh game to lead 5-3 and held his serve with timely aces to clinch the first set. The Russian fought back gallantly and broke Samir Twice with powerful ground strokes and return of serves and won the second set 6/2. The third set witnessed some world class tennis with both players engaging themselves in long base line rallies and held serves till three-all when Samir broke the Russian with magnificent down the line passing shot at beak point to lead 4/3 and held his serve with aces for 5/3 lead and Karastev held his serve to trail 4/5. Samir, exhibiting best game of the match, served out with powerful serves and net rushing to clinch the final set at 6/4 . He will now face Zubko Yaroslav of Belarus today.