Dubai: After registering the possibly biggest upset of the 2011 Dubai Duty Free Women's Open, South Africa's Chanelle Scheepers does not feel the burden of carrying her nation's aspirations.
"No, I don't feel the pressure of holding up the hopes of a nation. It's nice to do well and get the support from my country. I don't feel the pressure at all," Scheepers told Gulf News following her 6-2, 6-2 defeat of Maria Kirilenko in their first round of the tournament here yesterday.
"I did well to qualify here and now I am really happy to come through the first round as well. I thought I deserved to win as I played really good," the 26-year-old related.
Scheepers, who made it to the third round of the Australian Open last month, is currently No.80 on the WTA Rankings, something that she will improve upon when fresh rankings are announced next Monday.
The South African was one of eight qualifiers who came through two days of play on Saturday and Sunday.
Wind not to blame
One cannot blame the wind as the conditions were same for both of us. I just tried to stick to my game," she said.
"The real tournament only starts now and I have to be ready for that," Scheepers added.
Having got past the first hurdle, Scheepers is in no hurry to better or match what the other great South Africans such as Liezel Huber and Amanda Coetzer.
