DHAKA, Oct 15, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh's Zarif Abrar advanced to the semi final of 35th Bangladesh World Tennis Tour Juniors J-30 after a thrilling quarter-final victory, defeating India's second-seeded player, Shounak Chatterjee, in a tight three-set encounter (2-1) held at the National Tennis Complex in Ramna today.

In an intense battle that lasted for nearly three hours, with Zarif emerging victorious. The player, who started the tournament with the goal of becoming champion, is now just two wins away to reach his goal.

The match was fiercely contested from the very first set. The highly-charged opening set saw Shounak Chatterjee edged out Zarif 7-5 to take the lead. 

However, Zarif made a stunning comeback in the second set, leveling the match with a convincing 6-2 win.

The game then proceeded to the decisive third set, where all the drama unfolded. Zarif initially took a commanding 3-0 lead, seemingly on his way to easily sealing the set. But Chatterjee made an unbelievable turnaround, leading 5-3. 

From that critical juncture, Zarif staged a magnificent comeback, drawing level at 5-5. He then won two consecutive games to clinch the set 7-5 and secure his spot in the semi-finals.

Zarif attributed the win to good fortune. 

Talking to the press after the match, he said, "Today, luck was on my side. I was not supposed to win this match. At one point, I was trailing 3-5. The match turned due to just one gap. The moment just shifted."

Despite feeling slightly 'off' with his game, he expressed relief at the victory. 

Zarif commented, 'I was a bit off today. Alhamdulillah, I managed to cover it. The Indian opponent had a lot of power. It was difficult for me to cover that.'

Zarif is highly confident about performing well in the semi-finals and ultimately becoming the champion.

"Inshallah, I will play a good match in the semi-finals. I am very confident that I can be the champion of the tournament," he said. 
The Bangladeshi star also revealed that he battled through the tough situations on court by remembering his father's advice and prayers," added the talented tennis player.