ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's pride Davis Cupper and future tennis hope Samir Iftikhar fought back from first set deficit and made a huge comeback to overcome Victor Ouvrard (NEV) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 to help his University of New Mexico Lobos edge past University of Las Vegas Wolf Pack with close score of 4-3 on their home courts.
Tayyab Iftikhar, coach and father of Samir, told this scribe on Sunday that the match started off with doubles with Nevada earning wins at numbers one (9-8) and two (8-4) to get the doubles point but UNM fought back by wining first three singles with two matches going to full three sets.
Samir was not allowed nay room by his much superior opponent in the first set but he just managed to hold on to one serve and lost the set 1-6. But in the second set, Samir bounced back and take the second set 6-4 to level the match at one-set all.
In the third set, Samir once again broke Victor in the nine game, thus taking 5-4 lead and then played well to take the set 6-4 thus winning the tie 1-6, 6-4 and 6-4 to give his university a hard fought victory.
UNM would now travel to San Diego, Calif to face conference opponent 42-ranked San Diego State.
Lauding the performance of his son, Tayyab said: “Any investment in the youngster by the PTF and multinational companies for sponsorship towards training and exposure to the ITF futures this summer will be paid back in dividend in two years time to serve Pakistan and take burden off from Aqeel Khan and Aisamul Haq in singles.”