Ankita Raina was intense and energetic as she danced her way to the title in the $25,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the City Centre Tennis Complex on Saturday.
The fourth-seeded Ankita tamed the second-seeded Amandine Hesse of France 6-2, 7-5, without dropping serve, despite facing five breakpoints in four different games.
“I am happy with the way I played the tournament, especially the final against a quality player. I did not focus on the score as I was reaching the finishing line. Am glad that everything fell in place. Maturity comes with time. As long as it comes, it is fine’’, said the 25-year-old Ankita, quite thrilled with her second title at this level.
Amandine was frustrated and angry when things did not go her way and she could not break the rhythm and fluent play of Ankita. Yet, there was no doubt about the quality of her game, as the French girl tried everything to find an opening, before Ankita slammed the door on her.
Once Ankita saved a breakpoint in the 11th game and held serve, the French dropped her serve for the first time in the second set.
Ankita had broken serve in the fourth and eighth games of the first, while saving breakpoints in the first and fifth.
“Amandine is a very tricky player. She doesn’t give you pace. She drags you inside the court and makes you play the way she wants. I learnt from playing her the last time,’’ remarked Ankita, who would rest for a week before going to Japan for more tournaments.
Ankita thanked her long-time coach Hemant Bendre, apart from physio Rutuja Patange who accompanied her for the tournament, and trainer Gaurav Nijhon.
The result (final):
Ankita Raina bt Amandine Hesse (Fra) 6-2, 7-5.
