India’s clean sweep at the Asia/Oceania Group II of the Fed Cup has left Poojashree Venkatesha with bigger responsibility.

By Bhagya Ayyavoo

The smile has not deserted Poojashree Venkatesha’s face, even a day after her impressive Fed Cup campaign in Malaysia. Losing only four games in a debut Fed Cup tie is definitely a good start. 

Poojashree, who thrashed Si Ying Julienne Keong of Singapore 6-1 6-1 in the Asia/Oceania Group I opening rubber and then disposed off Malaysia’s Khoo Chin Bee 6-1 6-1 is aware the real test begins now.

In Group I matches, India face teams like Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand and Thailand next year. “Since we were in group II, it was quite easy for us. We pulled off the singles easily and were not under pressure in the doubles rubber.” Pooja told espnstar.com soon after reaching Bangalore on Sunday.

Nineteen-year-old Pooja added with a smile, “I was quite nervous in the beginning as to how I would deliver for India. But we had a three-day practice session. And then playing with Sania, that too as a second player (for Team India) was a great experience.” 

Sania’s ripping forehand has left many of her opponents thinking. After a week’s hitting sessions with the world No.59, the Mysore girl who has five ITF titles to her name, understands the only way forward is to pack more power behind her shots. 

“She (Sania) told me to correct a few things which are really important for my game. Serve is the key and I should improve the percentage. I really have to hit the ball harder,” Pooja said.

Pooja, who has already slipped to No.344 after a season-ending 314, is wary of her ordinary start to the season. First-round losses at the USD 50,000 hardcourt and USD 25,000 clay events in China is not good news, especially with nine months to go for the Commonwealth Games.

 “It wasn’t a good start this year. I’ve been falling sick and then got injured. I came very close to breaking into the Top 300 (after achieving a career-best 306) last year. But, few events like Uzbekistan and Pune quarterfinals where I missed out kept me in the 300s. I don’t want to repeat those mistakes and hope to break into the Top 250 soon. 

“Playing in the Commonwealth Games with Sania will be special. It depends on how I perform on the tour. If it turns out good, I have a good chance of playing with her,” Pooja said.

Sania has been full of praise of the Karnataka fledgling. It’s high time India found a successor to Sania.