E-Paper
Shikha Uberoi enters second round of US Open
Indian American Shikha Uberoi has stormed into the second round women's singles at the US Open, where she now faces Venus Williams.
Indian American Shikha Uberoi has stormed into the second round women's singles at the US Open, where she now faces Venus Williams.
Uberoi upset World No. 62 Saori Obata of Japan 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in a spectacular the first round match.
Uberoi had come through the qualifying round with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Puerto Rico's Vilmarie Castellvi.
Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi complimented Uberoi on her victory, saying she would inspire players like Sania Mirza back home.
"Shikha's excellent performance at the US Open is a very positive sign for women's tennis in India. With (players like) Sania Mirza, the future of women's tennis in India seems extremely bright; brighter than it has ever seemed before," Bhupathi, who narrowly missed out winning a medal in partnership with Leander Paes at the just concluded Athens Olympics, contended.
Indian born Uberoi, 21, lives in Boca Raton, Florida.
A right-hander with a two-handed backhand, she is ranked 380 and has had a pretty good run this year.
She won the singles title and reached the doubles final, with younger sister Neha, at the $10,000 US Tennis Association event in Forth Worth, Texas. She defeated Neha in the singles final.
Teaming with Neha, she reached the doubles semi-finals at the $25,000 ITF event in Caserta, Italy and the semi-finals of the $10,000 ITF event in Casale, also in Italy.
As a wild card, she had advanced to the quarterfinals of the $10,000 ITF event in New Delhi, and qualified for the $25,000 USTA event in Rockford, Illinois but lost in the first round.
