Two aces up the sleeve after grand double fault

The Hyderabad-based Mirza and Delhi’s Bhambri have proved that they are ready for the big stage. Their penchant for hitting really hard and aggressive game has stood out from the rest of their genre.

The follow-up to their doubles National title has been matured. Bhambri clinched her first senior ITF title in Pune (April 2002) while Mirza made her entry in the junior ITF circuit across the world.

Mirza, who is the more experienced of the pair, participated at the junior Grand Slams this year and reached the US Open doubles quarterfinals with compatriot Isha Lakhani. The quarterfinal appearance has been Mirza’s best performance at the Grand Slam since her entry at the 2001 French Open, as the youngest Indian ever in the junior Grand Slam event. This year, the Hyderabadi won her first round match at the Australian Open but failed to clear the next hurdle.

Mirza’s turning point came earlier this year when she joined the Bangalore-based Bhupathi Tennis Academy, run by Mahesh’s father CGK Bhupathi. She says the training has helped her iron out the flaws in her game and realise her potential. ‘‘It’s been a heady experience under Mr Bhupathi. The way we work on our game there (Bangalore) has been amazing. Also when I am unable to go there, I train under the Hyderabad coach of the Academy Narendranath to keep myself in shape,’’ says Mirza.

On the other hand, Bhambri is a late starter on the international circuit and last month she participated in two major ITF events in Thailand. They were not memorable outings but the youngster feels it gave her a lot of exposure. ‘‘I guess as if I continue playing more top-grade tennis I would get better,’’ says Bhambri. However, her success at the junior level runs as follows: silver in the doubles and singles at the under-13 South East Asian ITF circuit in Colombo (1998); member of the Indian team at the under-14 World qualifiers in Jakarta (2000); representated the Indian team at the World Youth Cup (under-16) in Jakarta last year, which finished fifth.

So far, the talented duo have dominated the Under-14 and Under-16 circuit but they are aware that they need to perform at the big stage. The doubles pair have now been given the opportunity at the Asian Games to realise their dream.