Prakash Amritraj happy with fitness

Chennai - Prakash Amritraj could barely hide his emotions after defeating a higher ranked Guillaume Rufin of France 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2, en route to the second round of the Aircel Chennai Open tennis tournament here Tuesday and attributed his success to his fitness.

In the course of a courtside interview to his iconic father Vijay Amritraj, Prakash said he took a while to get his act together, but once in flow, began to feel comfortable.

“I was a little bit off at the start and it was disappointing to lose the first set, but I buckled down thereafter and began to feel comfortable,” said the 29-year old US-born Prakash who got back to the pro-tour after a two-year break.

Asked about his fitness after having played two difficult three-setters in the qualifying rounds ahead of Tuesday’s match, Prakash said he felt good physically, but hoped that he would get a day’s break before meeting eighth-seeded Japanese Go Soeda in the next round.

“Two years ago, I was lying on the couch and wondering whether I would hit a ball at all. I picked up the racquet about six months ago and began to hit with my cousin Steven (Amritraj).”

“I have played a lot of tennis in the past one week and I hope that the organizers will give me a day’s break before my next match,” said Prakash Amritraj, who touched top form Tuesday when he won seven games on the trot to turn the two-hour, 23-minute match around.