One step at a time for Paszek

Dubai: New kid on the block Tamira Paszek is not in a hurry to rush headlong into tennis fame.

A day after stretching world number two Justine Henin to three sets and mar her impeccable record in Dubai, the Austrian teenager said she is no hurry to hasten things up.

"I believe I will take one small step at a time and keep on growing in my game for many, many years to come," Paszek said at the post-match conference late on Wednesday after losing 6-4, 5-7 and 6-1 to a much superior opponent.

Making her debut in Dubai, Paszek - ranked No 127 in the world - was easily the winner here as she came up with some unbelievable tennis against three-time champion Henin.

"Basically, I did not have anything to lose against her. I had to go for my shots and that is exactly what I did," stated the 16-year-old.

Paszek began 2007 by qualifying for the Australian Open and then reached the second round before losing to No 22 seed Eva Zvonareva.

The Austrian native is the winner of one Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title last year. This was a career-first Tour singles title in only her third Tour main draw.

That title in Portoroz where she upset No 6 seed Camerin made her the youngest Tour singles titlist in 2006 and the seventh-youngest all-time. Paszek's father Ariff Mohammad is Tanzania-born, Kenya-raised and lived in Canada, while her mother Francoise Paszek is Chilean-born and Austrian-raised.

"I am happy with my game and the way I am progressing," Paszek said.

"It is a privilege to play against someone like Henin.

"This one match will give me so much to learn. I am happy with the way I played," she observed.

Ultimately, what did her in was the tough schedule she has had in this tournament before her loss to Henin.

"That was five matches in five days, and I am only 16 years old.

"It was a tough match and I felt unbelievable out there," she accepted.