Dubai: The UAE's Fatma Abbas Al Janahi has targeted a season-ending total of 20 points on the ITF Circuit following her recent success at the ATF Junior event that concluded in Qatar last week.
"I think it will be a realistic goal to have at least 20 ITF points in my bag by the end of this season," Al Janahi told Gulf News following her return from Doha last Saturday.
Playing in the Asian Tennis Federation's (ATF) round held in the Qatari capital last week, the 14-year-old from Dubai was at her very best as she teamed up with Lebanon's Nancy Karaki to pick up the doubles title winning 6-0, 6-1 against Iranian Sahar and Iraqi Ghada Al Alajeely.
Stopped in final
The Dubai girl was also on her way to the singles crown, but was stopped in her tracks by her doubles partner Karaki after the Lebanese girl won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0.
"Honestly, that final is not worth remembering. I played so well during the whole week and then I was just not there when it mattered most against Nancy," Al Janahi said.
Seeded number two, Al Janahi had to possibly go through the toughest draw. "I am confident in what I can achieve, but when each round brings forth a strong player it can be quite tough mentally and physically," Al Janahi said.
But she pulled herself together and made it to the final against Karaki and then faltered when it mattered most.
"That was the most disheartening part of the week. I should have just hung in there," she reflected.
Al Janahi mentioned the throes of accumulating ITF points. "If one is to get points on the circuit then one has to first go through at least three qualifying matches as there are no points for qualifying. It is only in the main competition that one can expect either 2.5 points or 5 points or more depending on the performance," she mentioned.
"So I would say 20 points on the ITF circuit would be a realistic goal," she added.
Al Janahi is currently recovering from a viral infection, after which she will start practice again keeping in mind the ITF tournament in Kuwait in December.
"The experience has been good so far. The competitions that I have participated in have been fruitful for me as I have got the experience. Playing in the smaller competitions is the best way I can prepare for the bigger battles ahead," Al Janahi stated.
