LAHORE-Pakistan’s top veteran tennis player Rashid Malik has reached semifinals of ITF Seniors World Ranking Tennis Championship being played in Jalandhar, India. 
According to information made available here on Tuesday, former Davis Cupper Rashid Malik played tremendous tennis against top seed of the tournament Dinesh Laungai and outpaced him with a score of 6-3, 6-2 in a rain-hit match. Malik faced some resistance in the first set, conceding three points to win it by 6-3. The Pakistani veteran star played better tennis in the second set, winning it by 6-2, thus making into the semifinals of the prestigious event. 
Meanwhile, Rashid Malik, partnering with Tikam Singh, also doubled his joy as they faced tough resistance from the spirited pair of Sandeep Yadav and Rohit Rawat before winning the crucial encounter by 6-3, 6-7, 10-6. 
Talking to The Nation from India, Malik said: “I entered the ITF Seniors event with the aim of defending my 45 plus and 50 plus titles, and thanks to Almighty, I have succeeded so far in reaching semifinals of the prestigious event. I am now keen to give my best during the semifinal and final encounters and succeed in defending my titles. 
“After returning back to professional tennis after a 4 year gap due to Covid-19, I have made my mind to not only defend my titles in India and Thailand, but also to clinch the World Seniors titles. The purpose of this all is to win international glories for my country and I am keen to serve Pakistan tennis till I am fit and fine,” he asserted.   Rashid Malik, who is a renowned Pakistani coach with an honour of holding a record number of tournaments for the last four years, has been working on junior development passionately and dedicatedly. The Punjab junior tennis players are excelling at Asia level and winning international laurels for Pakistan. Although Malik is Tamgha-e-Imtiaz holder, he deserves better treatment from the government for his great services for tennis in Pakistan. He should be rewarded with Sitara-e-Imtiaz now.