Oman's Fatma al Nabhani teamed up with Egypt's Sandra Samir to finish runner-up in the doubles event of the US$15,000 ITF Al Solaimaneyah Egypt F1 Women's Future Tennis Championship that concluded in Cairo on Sunday.
It was Fatma's first podium of the new year and the player believes that she is ready to win titles if her preparations are on track.
“I am feeling good with my performance and I know I can do better. I am looking for a successful year,” said Fatma, who is currently ranked 440 in singles and 510 in doubles.
In the final, the pair lost to the top-seeded pair of Japan's Ayaka Okuno and Chantal Skamlova of Slovakia 6-4, 4-6 [6-10].
Seeded third, Fatma and Sandra had won their first round match against Philippines' Marian Jade Capadocia and American Akiko Okudo 6-2, 6-2 for a place in the quarterfinals.
The duo then defeated the Indian pair of Nidhi Chilumula and Natasha Palha 6-1, 6-4 to set up a clash against secondseeded Romanian pair of Cristina Ene and Oana Georgeta Simion.
Fatma and Sandra won 6-2, 6-2 but stumbled at the final hurdle.
Earlier in the singles, Fatma, who was seeded No 4, beat Nidhi 6-3, 6-0 in the first round and then breezed past Spain's Carlota Molina Megias 6-2, 6-4.
However, sixth-seeded Romanian Oana Georgeta beat Fatma in the quarterfinals with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 win.
Oana Georgeta went on to win the title. Fatma continues her campaign at the same venue in another US$15,000 tournament that began on Tuesday.
She faces local girl Rowan Arafat in her opening round.
