Szavay ready for slice of action

The Bangalore Open is not going to be just about seasoned pros like the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, Jelena Jankovic or Patty Schnyder. The young guns too will be raring to grab their slice of action. One among them is the petite Agnes Szavay of Hungary. The 18-year-old from Budapest has already broken into the top 20 and is hungry for more.
 
At five feet seven inches, she is lithe, a quick mover on the court and whips up a power-packed forehand. She turned pro in 2004 and had a breakthrough year last season, when she won two career WTA titles at Palermo and Beijing, and made the last eight at the 2007 US Open.
 
Career high

She hit a career high ranking of 17 last month and her doubles ranking too has moved up from 106 to 26, with a WTA doubles title under her belt. However, there have been some inexplicable losses as well, that has put a question mark on her consistency.
 
“I admit it. But after some good wins, whenever I get seeded, there has been a bit of pressure on me. As expectations have grown, I tried to deal with them more rationally now and focus much better,” said Szavay.
 
Though clay is her favourite surface, she has done well on hard courts. “Back home we basically have clay as most European countries do, but I am playing pretty well on hard courts and my big wins have come on them,” said Szavay.
 
On her chances at Bangalore, she said, “It is a tough field and I have not really got the feel of the main courts yet. But I am in good form and hope to start well and keep it going.”
 
Coming from a football crazy nation, Szavay would like to be the first woman Grand Slam champion from her country. “But first I would like to keep my place in the top 20 for the season and go to the next level.”
 
The Russian charge

No women’s tennis event is complete without a clutch of Russian challengers. The Bangalore Open is no exception with Maria Kirilenko spearheading their charge here.
 
Kirilenko won the Sunfeast Open at Kolkata in 2007 and considers India a ‘lucky’ place. “It has been special playing here in India. I have always done well. I like being here, have some friends here.
 
I guess there is a special bond being in India. The people are nice and kind and it is a great place to be in,” said Kirilenko.
 
A fourth round finish at the Australian Open in 2008, has boosted her confidence and she hopes to do well at Bangalore. “I am looking forward to the tournament and the season has shaped up well. I am moving well, shaping up well.”
 
Though she puts Venus and Serena as the big favourites, she also felt that ‘anything’ could happen.
 
“Serena and Venus are strong but then they are playing here for the first time I guess, so you never know. I know that I won’t be playing them at least in the first two rounds as I am seeded,” said Kirilenko.