EIGHTEEN-year-old Galina Fokina of Russia who stunned top seeded Belarusian Tatianta Poutchek 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 plans on an all-out tennis year this season.

She was thrilled at the fact that she had just beaten the tournament’s top seed in the first round late Monday evening but had a clear-cut idea of what to do about her tennis career in the coming months once she got over the excitement of the shock win.

Galina had just knowcked world 84 Tatiana, ranked 105 places above the her but Galina was all serious when it came to talking about tennis and her immediate future.

“Last season was not very good. I took part in only 13 events but this year all I want to do is play, play and play tennis, nothing else.

“I am 18 and this is the time to seriously have a full go as I am entering the senior ranks. The competition is a lot different from what I am generally used to.”

Galina is usually accompanied by her father when playing outside Moscow. “For my second visit Dubai this time, my father is not with me. He likes to be with me most of the time when I play abroad. I am lucky that I have very supportive parents for my tennis.

“My mother doesn’t travel with me but she is there always with me mentally both on court and off it. I always remember her and the first thing I did today (Monday) was phone her about my upset victory over my doubles partner Tatiana,” Galina said on Monday.

“I have a free day tomorrow (yesterday). I am so tired at the moment and all I want to do on my rest day is to just to stay in my room, relax and come out only for some practice here,” she continued.

The win today (Monday) was important for me. I know Tatiana’s game well but playing a top 100 player is always a learning experience and I fully enjoyed the first round against her.”

Galina’s best in a major WTA leg was in the Kremlin Cup three years back as a wild card entry.

“At the Kremlin I beat Anna Kournikova in the first round but lost to Dokic next, in two closely fought sets. That was a great time for me considering the fact that I was playing the big names in my home city and in front of my friends,” Galina said.