Ananya Muralidharan builds on Chennai WTT success ahead of Nationals and World Youths
Ananya Muralidharan, a 16-year-old from Chennai, won the under-17 singles title at the WTT Youth Contender and finished runner-up in mixed doubles with Mehan Senthil at the senior Feeder event on the recent WTT circuit in Chennai; she now heads into the National-ranking championship from November 14 before the World Youth Championships in Turkey from November 21.
Ananya’s coach M.B. Subin Kumar of Chennai Achievers said the teenager was at her best during the Chennai tournaments and that the decision to pair her with Mehan for the first time paid off, with the duo beating seeded combinations before losing to Manav Thakkar and Taneesha Kotecha in the final. “Ananya was very active throughout the tournament and played a level above her usual game,” Subin told The Hindu. He added that her game had improved since breaking into the Indian team last year and remarked: “She is quick at the table and has very quick hands, which help her. Although she still needs to improve her move ment and fitness.”
Ananya, who was part of the Indian team that won bronze at the World Youth Championships last year, will compete in the U-19 category at the upcoming World Youth Championships. “We have a strong team and are confident of winning a medal. We’ll try our best,” said Ananya, who won the under-17 singles title at the National-ranking tournament in Panchkula last month.
The squad that will travel to Turkey includes Ananya’s brother, P.B. Abhinandh, but they will go without the usual preparatory camp because the Punjab Nationals leave little time for a joint training stint. “All of Ananya’s events will finish on the 18th. The players leave for Turkey from Delhi on the 19th. The Nationals will double up as match practice for Ananya ahead of the big event,” said Subin.
Ananya’s immediate competitive focus is the National-ranking championship beginning November 14, followed by departure for the World Youth Championships in Turkey, which starts for her on November 21.
