Hyderabadi Girl Pranjala Wins Maiden ITF Women’s Title In Egypt:- Hyderabadi city girl, Yadlapalli Pranjala is back to winning ways.
The 18-year old, announced her arrival in the big stage by winning her maiden ITF women’s title at USD 15,000 Sharm-El-Sheikh tennis tournament in Egypt. It was last year, when Pranjala made a transition from junior to senior category.
Before beating Italy’s Clerici Giada 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, the promising Pranjala who made a rapid strides in the junior section, had to fight a stern battle, to rule as supreme in the final.
Pranjala from Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt, said, “I am feeling very happy for winning this title as it is my maiden ITF women’s title.” It was tough three sets for Pranjala in the final. “Giada is a tough player. There were a lot of rallies. It was a good game.”
In the first set, Pranjala was 4-0 up, before the Italian rallied magnificently to fight back and win the set. “I lost my focus and made a few unforced errors. I lost the set.” However, Pranjala played a solid game, in the second set, to draw level. “I got into a good rhythm and I began to play more solid shots.”
In the crucial third set, Pranjala started badly. “I ran into trouble when she took a 4-1 lead. But I remained calm. I worked my way back with a determined game and finally could win the set at 6-4. It was all about being patient and it helped me in the end,” said a delighted Pranjala.
The GVK Foundation, who sponsors Pranjala said, she has been working on her game. “I have improved my footwork and serving strong consistently. I have also become a little aggressive in my game.”
In the WTA ranking, the Hyderabadi girl, is ranked 654. For another two more weeks, she will be in Egypt to play in couple more tournaments. “I feel very confident now. I have to keep the momentum going.” Pranjala’s victory in Egypt has made the unsung coach M Sanjay Kumar of Sanjay Tennis Academy at Administrative Staff College of India a very happy man. “The success is the result of hard work. It is just the beginning and she is here to many win more titles,’’ he said.
A few months ago, the former junior No.1, who learnt her game from Sanjay has returned to his old coach and it has brought up the results immediately. “She looked lost. I always felt this girl had the ability to become a top player. I would not be exaggerating if I say that she can break into top 100 in two years’ time because she has the game.’’
In the last ten days or so, I have been working on her game, said Sanjay. “We rectified a few flaws in her forehand and backhand shots. We also looked on her services. I told her to toss the ball higher while going for the first service and for second service, I told her to look for angles.”
Under eminent athletics trainer N Ramesh, Pranjala has also started training for improved fitness. “I am able to get better movements on the courts. I am also able to be more consistent in my game.”
SUPRAJA
