Amina Rakhim ousts Akgul to lift 25,000 dollar ITF title

Pune, Nov 17 (UNI) It was second time lucky for 17-year-old Amina Rakhim of Kazakistan who won her maiden title on the ITF tour defeating top seed Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan to lift the inaugural 25,000 dollar Poona Club ITF Women's Tennis title here today.

She virtually came from behind to conquer the gangling giant Amanmurdova, who after suffering from a bout of stomach upset problem conceded the match in the second set 7-6, 4-2.

In the Kalyani Group of Industries co-sponsored event, the gutsy sixth seed Amina Rakhim, who is ranked 17 in the ITF junior rankings, had to remain content with a runners up berth in three ,000 tournament this year starting with the first one at Romania, followed by the next at Georgia and the third against Thai player Nungnadda Wanasuk at the Deccan Gymkhana courts here last Saturday.

''I was quite focused today on my game and was not shaken up despite the top seed Akgul breaking my serve in the fifth game.'' She fought back to break up her rival's serve in the eight game breaking her on game point after trailing 40-nil with two sizzling deep down the line on either side of the court to level up the score 4-4.

Down by 2-5 in the tie breaker, she reeled out three points in a row to level up the score and send a forehand return down the line to capture the first set 7-6 (7-5) via the tie breaker.

The manner in which the top seed Akgul started breaking Amina very first to lead 2-nil, it looked that she would make a match of it.

The trouble started at this stage when she took a medical break.

After that Rakhim broke back strongly and leveled scores and raced to a 4-2 lead, as Amanmuradova threw in the towel.

Rakhim made 2940 dollar and 25 WTA points for her victory, while Amanmuradova had to be content with 1666 dollar and 17 WTA points.

UNI IS MAZ YA KP2126