LAHORE – The trial match to assess the fitness of Pakistan’s top tennis player Ushna Suhail started here at the Bagh-i-Jinnah tennis courts on Saturday. Ushna was a bit rusty after her injury lay off but was able to win in straight sets against Asusha Aslam 6-2, 6-1.
She will play another two fitness trial matches before the Pakistan team is finalized for the Fed Cup on Tuesday. Pakistan will face Bangkok in the Fed Cup from January 31 to February 5. According to camp leader Mohammad Bakhsh, Sunday will be an off day and the players will assemble on Monday to resume the trial matches.
He said that the camp will terminate on January 28 and the following day the team will leave for its destination to appear in the Fed Cup after a 12 year gap. The female team coach, Rashid Malik, said that in this two-week camp, he will give the girls the maximum possible mental boost so that they can give their best in the Cup.
“You can not make any predictions in international tennis. But the girls will be training to handle the pressure.” Pakistan’s non-playing captain, Nausheen Ehtisham, said the girls had the potential to compete at the international level.
“The plus point of these girls is that they have international exposure, and hopefully their performance will be worthwhile,” she said. Pakistan youngsters U14 team has left for Myanmar to participate in the ITF 14 and Under Asian Tennis Championship 2011, from where potential players will be selected by ITF for grooming.
