National coach Omar Behroozian wants Fares Al Janahi and Abdulla Ahli to be more focused when the UAE teenagers return to action this week in the ITF Junior Championships in Fujairah.
Al Janahi, 16, faces a tough first-round tie against Swiss second seed Luca Keist, while 17-year-old Ahli takes on the Netherlands’ Len Schouten. Both Emiratis will be hoping to better their results after opening round defeats in last week’s Abu Dhabi Country Club ITF Junior Championships, their first competition of 2016.
After testing encounters in that tournament, also played in Fujairah, Behroozian expects this week’s event will provide stern challenges.
“Obviously when you play at a higher level, you need to improve your focus, intensity and desire,” said the 33-year-old. “They find it is a little bit difficult to compete against the international players because they can’t step their level up.
“That is what they need to do, step their talent up because they are all very talented. “At times, they find it difficult to increase their level when playing but I feel they need to do this as there are very good players and hopefully then can.”
He added: “Fares played really well in his last tournament (Abu Dhabi Country Club) and was taken to three sets (4-6, 7-6, 4-6 against Armin Rostami) so there are encouraging signs. Abdulla did really well despite losing in two sets (6-1, 6-4) against Daniil Klimov and hopefully he can build on this start.”
