ITF tourney: Field looks wide open

By K. Keerthivasan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 2. It's ITF tennis time again in Chennai. The Indian Oil Servo sponsored $ 10, 000 women's (singles and doubles) tennis tournament which commences at the Madras Gymkhana Club courts on Monday assumes significance in a sense that the event gives the players an opportunity to collect crucial ITF points at one go.

The work-outs they had on Sunday evening gave enough indication of the intense action in store for the next six days. The tournament has six foreign players from Japan, Turkey, Thailand, Greece, and Ukraine.

Leading the Indian challenge is Sai Jayalakshmi, the top seed in the tournament. ``I haven't done that well of late. There are no expectations really and in a way I hope that will work in my favour.'' said Sai, one of the few players who frequently plays in international tournaments. She meets Ipek Senoglu of Turkey in the first round.

Says her travelling partner and second seed Rushmi Chakravarthi, ``Everybody is good at this stage, and is in pretty fine shape. I hope to come good.'' She however admitted that she stands a better chance to win here due to her exposure and experience. The 23-year-old takes on Ukraine Olexandra Verkhnyatska in her opening match.

The field is open with numerous challengers, who can give the top seeds a run for their money and eighth seed Archana Venkataraman is one of them. Known widely in tennis circles as a gritty performer, she is one to look out for. ``Each one of them is playing well these days. Every round is a challenge for me.''

One should also not forget Radhika Tulpule, an intelligent performer who understands her limitations and strengths and plays accordingly. She had won the ITF $ 10,000 title in Pune in April this year, defeating Archana Venkataraman in the final.

A foreigner who could spring a surprise is Christiana Zachariadou of Greece, believed to be a player of immense potential.

For Mumbai's Sonal Phadke, playing at the Gymkhana club courts for the first time, the tournament is significant. ``It is an important tournament for me. The main thing is to get the rankings high,'' said the fourth seed. She also remarked that the Indian challenge is better here.

Other players who could pose a threat or two are Sheetal Goutham, Megha Vakaria, Samrita Sekar and Shruti Dhawan and their performances would also be also closely watched by enthusiasts. With 26 Indians figuring in the main draw of 32, it goes without saying that the Indian fort looks strong. India's Saiswapna Ramakrishnan qualified for the main draw beating team- mate Anupama Rajur 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

The three Indians who were given wild cards are: Karishma Patel, Preethi Rao, and Sharanya Pattabhi. The tournament is also sponsored by United Insurance Company, and Tarapore & Co.

The results (final qualifying round): Shuba Srinivasan (Ind) bt Vishika Chhetri (Ind) 6-1, 6-3, Saiswapna Ramakrishnan (Ind) bt Anupama Rajur (Ind) 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, C. Zachariadou bt Nivedita Venkatesh (Ind) 6-0, 6-1, Tara Kanbargimath (Ind) bt Salma Khan (Ind) 6-0, 6-1, Olexandra Verkhnyatska (Ukraine) bt Sricharanya Thiagarajan (Ind) 6-0, 6-3, Radhike Mandke (Ind) bt Kamini Murugaboopathy (Ind) 6-3, 6-2, Alice Joy (Ind) bt Swathi Kandasamy (Ind) 6-4, 6-4, Nichala Reddy (Ind) bt Lata Assudani (Ind) 6-2, 6-2.

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