Uberoi cleared to play for India

Shikha Uberoi's dream of representing India has come true with the International Tennis Federation clearing her change of nationality.

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Shikha, who has been representing the United States of America, her country of residence, was cleared to play for India in professional and organised team events at a meeting of the ITF Board of Directors on the sidelines of Australian Open in Melbourne last week.

The ITF's decision means that the Indians will have two to tango at the $140,000 WTA Hyderabad Open next week where Shikha and teen star Sania Mirza will be wild card entrants.

In fact, Shikha, cousin of Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, had played her first event under the tricolour at the $170,000 Volvo Open in Thailand this week where she lost to Spaniard Conchita Martinez in the first round.

Twenty-two-year old Shikha is ranked 148 on the WTA Tour, 17 places below Sania, and has won three ITF titles so far. Her younger sister Neha too is looking for a switch to Indian passport.

Shikha has also confirmed her participation at the WTA Hyderabad Open 2005, to be held in the city from February 7 to 12. She has been steadily rising in world rankings since 2004 and has qualified herself for the tournament's main draw.

She was number 2 on the qualifying list and has moved up after certain players dropped out from the main draw acceptance list.

Over a short span of time Shikha has received acclaim from fans and experts alike.

In her Grand Slam debut as world No.275 qualifier at US Open 2004, she signalled her arrival by defeating world No 56 Saori Obata and leading 4-1 over Venus Williams in the second round before going down 7-5, 6-1.

In September last she broke into Top 200 at No.182.

Shikha is trained by Venus Williams' former coach Rick Macey.

Mahesh Bhupathi, Managing Director of Globosport, organisers of the Hyderabad Open, said, "Shikha has a strong connection with Hyderabad and playing here would naturally inspire her to excel. We are sure Hyderabad would inspire her performance to soar. She would be yet another player to watch out at the contest."