Indian BJK Cup star Rutuja Bhosale shared her thoughts after sailing into R2 of the WTA 125 L&T Mumbai Open. Rutuja sailed into R2 with a straight sets win over the qualifier Peangtarn Plipuech (THA, 503) with a 6-4 7-5 win.

Excerpts from the interview below

You played your doubles match under the lights in the evening time and played Singles R1 during the day. So how do you compare the conditions in the evening versus playing in the daytime under the sun? 

Definitely, I would have preferred to play in the lights because it was much cooler in the evening session. I feel the heat does get to the opponents. I don’t think so they’re used to it. However my opponent in Round 1 was used to it because she’s from Thailand and sometimes the heat conditions are worse there. But yeah I mean you have to adapt. I think she had her doubles later on in the day and that’s why it was put on earlier.

Can you just tell us about the Round 1 match vs Peangtarn Plipuech?

The last previous matches I’ve had with Peangtarn Plipuech, have been all three sets. We have known each other for so long now and we know how to play against each other. We’re trying to change a few things in my game. Try to come into the net and just see the openings I’m creating.

When I went up at 5-3, I wanted to stay focused and get it done there. But she played a really solid service game there and I missed a really easy hit on the backhand. Then again the nerves creeped in when I was serving 5-4 – it is something that I really need to work on mentally. 

I did a good job of breaking her at 5-all and then taking my time at 6-5 and making a lot more 1st serves.

What was your mindset coming into the match having known her game previously?

She’s a counter puncher. She uses the opponent’s pace and I feel like because my game style is aggressive and in the previous times I played with her, I was just grinding it out from the back. Trying to hit as hard as I could.

Today my mindset was that the minute I create an opening, I just want to go in and keep the point short. I started really slow. I was not able to execute what I was doing. However, I trusted the game plan and it started working out. And the points were short and she didn’t expect that I’m going to come in because the previous times I didn’t do it. So I think I caught her off guard.

You said that you had an injury before the R1 singles. Did it affect your game?

The injury was so random because I warmed up for my doubles. I was just walking  to practise and you know the boards over here like I just twisted my ankle. I didn’t feel a lot on the day before but towards the end of the doubles match, I started feeling very uncomfortable. I showered, iced and then suddenly my ankle was swollen.

The physios did a great job. They really helped me for the match. They tried different kinds of tapings to see if it works in practice. It’s stable, so hopefully it’s nothing to

worry about.

Thoughts on playing this MSLTA WTA tournament?

Definitely it’s a special feeling to play at home. It’s been 6 years. We want to go outside and play these events but it’s tough to get in. With doubles, I get in here and there but with singles, it’s tough to get in.

It’s in India right now. We have wild cards but if you have to go play for WTA 125 in Europe or the US, it’s a lot tougher because there’s so many more local girls who are much higher ranked than us who are right there. For them to travel through Europe is very easy.

So for us to take a chance just to go sign in on site and see if we get, it is stupidity I feel sometimes. It’s heavy on the pockets as well. It’s awesome that the tournament is back. Sahaja and Shrivalli had awesome wins which is commendable. So yeah it just gives a lot of opportunities to the girls to see where we are and climb up in the rankings. 

I’m very fortunate that I have Mr. Punit Balan supporting me and I’m able to take someone with me. So yeah it’s changing. I feel like the last year and a half since I’ve been with Puneet sir.

Photos from the match by MSLTA