Coach’s timely advice helps Ankita advance in WTA Mumbai Open

Ankita Raina was going strong at 4-1 in the second set when she lost her serve as her rival, Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova fought back to cut down the margin to 4-3 in their first round clash in the L&T Mumbai Open WTA 125k Series event at the Cricket Club of India courts on Wednesday.

The Indian star’s coach Hemant Bendrey took the opportunity of a break between games to offer some advice that helped Ankita cool her nerves and win the next two games and wrap up a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory — her second win ever in the WTA 125K tournament.The importance of the win could be judged from the fact that it earned her 15 ranking points, which would help Ankita leapfrog from her current ranking of 293 and move closer to her alltime best WTA ranking of 227. If she wins the next round, she may get into the top 200.

Bendrey stepped on the court to give advice his ward just in the nick of time as Ankita had lost her way a bit at the same juncture in the first set. She was two breaks up and leading 4-0 when the Indian suddenly slowed down and started committing errors as her opponent picked her game.

Veronika started returning resolutely and aggressively, sending more balls in than she was doing earlier, and Ankita, in her anxiety to close out the points, committed errors and in no time, her lead had vanished and the score was 5-5.

“He told me not to lose speed and to be patient and wait for the opportunity,” said Ankita, who was playing a player who is 60 spots above in the list (293-233).

The 24-year-old wild card is the lone Indian remaining in the singles draw and will take on Peangtarn Plipuech of Thailand, who upset Lizette Cabrera of Australia, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the second round.

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