The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Punam in semifinals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 05, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Punam in semifinals

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, NOV. 4. Punam Reddy, with back-to-back wins over seeded players, is the only Indian in the women's semifinals of $25,000 International Tennis Federation's Circuit event. Following up on her win over Napaporn Tongsalee, she came back from a set down to beat the eighth-seeded Slovenian Andreja Klepac 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The other semifinalists are fifth seed Montinee Tangphong, top seed Hana Sromova (Czech Republic) and third seed Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzbekistan). The 17-year-old Indian takes on the classy Thai fifth seed in the semifinals while Sromova will take on Amanmuradova.

The only Indian still in contention for a rich haul of $3,000 prize money and 25 ITF points, Punam has already exceeded expectations. She banged down six aces against her higher ranked rival, was in her elements on big points and blasted her way out of trouble. Klepac, an effective double-handed baseliner with mobility and strokeplay to question the best, found herself at the receiving end of some inspired shot-making by the young qualifier.

Tara Iyer tried hit-and-run tactics, but her gambit did not work as effectively against the crafty Montinee, whose forehand crosscourts were devastating in execution and placement. The Thai won 6-2, 6-3 in just over an hour.

The results (Indians unless specified): Women: singles (quarterfinals): 1-Hana Sromova (Cze) bt Maria Abhramovic (Cro) 6-0, 6-3; 3-Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) bt Isha Lakhani 6-2, 6-1; 5-Montinee Tangphong (Thn) bt Tara Iyer 6-2, 6-3; Punam Reddy bt 8-Andreja Klepac (Slo) 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-3.