Sunday, Nov 16, 2003
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Tennis
By Nandakumar Marar
Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova, who defeated India's Megha Vakharia 7-5, 6-3 in the singles final of the $10,000 NECC-ITF women's tennis tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Saturday. — Photo: Ajay Deshpande
The towering Uzbek serve-and-volleyer, known on the circuit as a `gentle giant' for her easy-going nature and humility, showed no mercy on the diminutive Indian player, sending down 10 aces to win 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday. The former appeared hungrier for breakthroughs but importantly exercised patience when things slipped out of control in both sets during 94 minutes of singles action. The second seed needed ITF titles and dollars to back her claim for more playing opportunities, since her contract is up for renewal with the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation next month. Akgul had a tough time maintaining her composure against a cheeky rival, screaming at herself after mistakes and scolding spectators for distraction, but refused to get swayed from her path. The Uzbek picked up $1,600 in winnings, apart from six circuit points, her second back-to-back victory in India after having clinched a $25,000 event in Mumbai last week. The federation will get half of her season's prize money earnings in return for bearing the tennis and touring expenses as per an arrangement. Megha has no financial worries though, as her businessman father Dilip Vakharia backs her tennis ambitions in the absence of a personal sponsor. She got $1,000 and four points for finishing second best. The Indian challenger, a student of MVLU College, relied on control and deception to keep her mighty opponent on tenterhooks, leading 4-1 and 3-0 in the first and second sets respectively before falling back due to risky shotmaking, a true trait of Megha. Seeded sixth in the main draw, she committed seven double-faults and numerous unforced errors in the final but refused to abandon her natural game, keeping fans entertained and the rival confused with a mix of tricky forehands crosscourt lobs and backhand stop volleys. The 19-year-old Mumbai left-hander bounced around the court with ease to wrong-foot Akgul on the baseline, the latter's reach proving decisive at the net. The Uzbek number two came into her own in the eighth game of the second set, down 3-4 on serve, four aces thudding into the hoardings past the little Indian after being on breakpoint five times. She then wrested a break in the ninth for the title. The result (singles): 2-Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) bt 6-Megha Vakharia (Ind) 7-5, 6-3.
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