JEDDAH, 17 July 2003 — Top seeded Pakistani Zulfikar Ahmed was given a scare by Jordanian Hani Al-Ali in the semifinals of the Prince Talal ibn Mansour Tennis Cup at Albilad Hotel Tennis Courts last night.

Tennis fans who filled the spectators gallery to capacity to watch the matches were given a surprise when the Jordanian Al-Ali matched the Pakistani top seed Zulfikar shot for shot early in the set, before steaming away with the first set after a spirited exchange of crosscourts and volleys.

Zulfikar however, reached deep into his reserves in the next two sets to go on an overdrive of power tennis which literally swamped the Jordanian. Though Al-Ali kept up a steady stream of returns, it was Zulfikar who found the angles and power in key situation as the latter won 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

A visibly upset Zulfikar said that he was dissatisfied with his first set performance and played with a better game plan in the next two. “I capitalized on his weak points and found my range in the next two,” Zulfikar said. Al-Ali, after a game start, was pinned back by Zulfikar’s steady play and also found his service deserting him at key points.

Ultimately, Zulfikar’s aggressiveness and fine forehand drives enabled him to enter the final, where he is set to clash with Filipino Manny Valleramos.

In the other semifinal, Valleramos registered an easy victory over Pakistan’s Waqar Ahmed. Waqar, who figures with his brother in today’s doubles final, was totally outclassed. He was never allowed to settle in by Valleramos, who sprayed clinical shots all over the court to run Ahmed ragged. Valleramos won 6-1, 6-1.

Today the tournament’s doubles final begins at 7.30 p.m. It will be between the Filipino pair Manny Valleramos and Jovie Lalevares and the Pakistani Ahmed brothers — Zulfikar and Waqar.

According to Reggie Sanosa, tournament referee, prize distribution ceremony for the doubles events will be held soon after the final.

Zulfikar and Manny play the singles final tomorrow at 7.30 p.m. Jeddah Tennis Organization is staging the inaugural tournament.