The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Poojashree delighted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Poojashree delighted

Kalyan Ashok

— FILE PHOTO

V. Poojashree.

BANGALORE: The talented teenager from Mysore, Poojashree Venkatesh, who has received a direct entry to the girls singles event in the U.S. Open tennis championship slated in September, is overjoyed at the opportunity of playing in a Grand Slam.

“It was bit disappointing when I failed to get an entry into the French Open, but my subsequent good showing in ITF Grade II and III events has helped me clinch a spot, without having to slog through the qualifying rounds of the US Open,” said Poojashree in a chat with The Hindu.

The lanky lass towering over six feet, who packs a heavy punch on her forehand, felt that over the past few months her game has improved. “I am feeling much fitter and moving much faster,” she said.

Plus point

Another plus point is that there more nip in her first serve and it showed in her recent sojourn to Egypt, where she won the singles title at Cairo in the ITF Grade II event and was a runner-up in the doubles. In the earlier week, she lost in the semifinals in singles and won the doubles title in a Grade III championship.

One factor that hugely helped Poojashree to find a place in the main draw at the US Open was her improved ranking. She is now ranked No. 65 on the ITF junior girls’ list above the cut-off mark of 70 for the main draw.

At 17, Poojashree now faces the prospect of playing the big league, namely the WTA Tour events next year. “If I have to make my mark , it has to be WTA.

Ranked around 850

“This year, I will select and play few more ITF events and in the next season, my junior events will be mainly Grand Slams and along with that, I plan to play the WTA championships. That’s where my future lies,” said the youngster, who is now ranked around 850 on the WTA list.

To go flat out

By the end of the season, Poojashree aims to break into the top 50 on the ITF junior list and then go flat out to improve her women’s singles ranking.

“Definitely, the focus will be different,” said Poojashree, whom tennis pundits tip as another Sania in the making.

“Yes, she can be another Sania... She has the same spirit, fighting qualities and talent, but short on exposure,” said her coach, Nagaraj.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail