ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's pride Davis Cupper Samir Iftikhar saved two set points and proved an asset for University of New Mexico Lobos at NCAA (Division-I) Tennis Circuit by winning his crucial decider conference match against Will Stein of Texas Christian University Horned Frogs held at Dallas Fort Worth.
Samir won the match 7-6, 6-3, Samir Iftikhar told this scribe from New Mexico University USA: “Both teams have won three matches each, and it was all left on my match and I managed to win the crucial match for UNM to enable them to qualify for all important NCAA Division I Conference Tournament which will start at San Diego California from April 27 to 29.
“I saved two set points at 5-6 in the first set and won the set in tiebreak (7-6) without conceding a point (7-0) with display of some powerful ground strokes and passing shots while in the second set, I did not allow Stein to settle down by using all of my experience and won the set  6-3 and thus won the match,” he claimed.
The 19-year-old youngster is flying Pakistan's flag high at the USA University both in academics and tennis where he achieved 3.75 GPR last semester and had won crucial matches for University and recently won three-set marathon 7-5, 6-7 6-2 match last week against Rickey Baylon of San Diego State University.   “I hope PTF, government and corporate sector will lend a helping hand and give me sponsorship for ITF future tournaments this summer which will really help me to gain experience and bring laurels for the country,” he asserted.
“I also like to thank MEPCO for their continued support in pursuing my career in tennis and education, I preferred Pakistan over Britain only to help the country of my father's birth in best possible manner. My main aim is to bring Pakistan into main round of Davis Cup. I am more than willing to represent my country at any given opportunity and perform up to my abilities,” Samir concluded.