Date:08/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/08/stories/2003020805821800.htm

Sport - Tennis

Iroda Tulyaganova downs Akiko

By A. Joseph Antony

Iroda Tulyagannova of Uzebekeistan makes a backhand return against Akiko Morigami of Japan in the first semifinal of WTA Indian Open tennis at Hyderabad on Friday. — Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

HYDERABAD Feb. 7 The unfettered run of the rank outsiders came to a grinding halt at the centre court of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh tennis complex here on Friday. Stemming the rot were fifth seed Iroda Tulyaganova, a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victor over Akiko Morigami and second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn, who stopped Flavia Pennetta 7-5, 6-4.

Tulyaganova didn't try too hard to come back into the first set, being broken in the sixth game. Matching the Uzbek's might were Morigami's diagonal returns, that had Tulyaganova traversing the length of her baseline quite often and mostly in vain. Tulyaganova's bludgeoning was blunted effectively by her opponent. In the next set, Tulyaganova turned the tables on her rival, using the same ploy. Only that the fifth seed's pounding returns banished Morigami beyond the baseline too. Following a trade of breaks in the first two games, Morigami caved in on serve in the seventh. A double-fault in the ninth had the 128-th ranked Japanese player's cup of woe brimming over as she sank 3-6.By the third set, Tulyaganova was on song, her cross court forehanders getting not only faster but more accurate as well. Suspect against the high ball, Morigami's responses to chest and head high shots lacked bite.

Tulyaganov however had praise for her opponent. The former never expected the latter to play the singles so well (`a very smart game') considering that Morigami was more a doubles player. The winner's goal was nothing less than the crown and the fine showing at the recent Australian Open against Lindsay Davenport had reinforced her confidence. Employing the cross court attack, her best weapon, Tulyaganov's self-belief was evident when she revealed that winning the contest was never in doubt. Besides she developed her game point to point, her conviction on the ascent, as she progressed.

Down 2-5 in the opening set, Tamarine Tanasugarn clawed her way back to settle scores in the 10th , in the process clinching five games on the trot to wrap up the set, 7-5. Flavia Pennetta showed more flair, which also resulted in quite a few flaws.

On Friday, the Italian's double faults outnumbered the aces. Her game was spasmodic, now and then special and at other times, quite ordinary. Among the highpoints were some rasping cross court returns of serve from Flavia's forehand. On the other hand, the fast and flat hits were fraught with frailties, the net being an obstacle hard to overcome.

Tamarine said later that she had been down mentally when trailing 2-5 in the first set. From thereon, her aim was to keep the ball in court and let Pennetta make the mistakes. Of the final against Tulyaganova, Tamarine rated her very high, having lost to her in the Busan Asian Games final.

The results: Singles: Semi-finals: Iroda Tulyaganova (Uzb) bt Akiko Morigami (Jap) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, Tamarine Tanasugarn (Tha) bt Flavia Pennetta (Ita) 7-5, 6-4.