For the first time Ksenia Polikarpova participates at the individual World Championships representing Israel.

Ksenia Polikarpova was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1990. 29 years later she walked on court with “Israel” on her back.

- It was a big pleasure to be here at the World Championships, Polikarpova said.

- I have been playing for Israel for nearly two years, and now I start to feel it and feel Israeli. Now I have supporters here from Israel and it is nice. Our juniors also start to walk with me, which I like. I am sure this is just the start.

Patience is the key
The Russian born Israeli lost in straight games, 21-18 21-14, to Kim Ga Eun from Korea, and for Polikarpova it is easy to point out the things that made the difference between winning and losing:

- Patience was for sure the key. In Switzerland it is always slow shuttles and it is not easy to win by speed, so you have to be patient, Polikarpova explained.

- I am not good playing the physical game, so I have to win with speed.
 
Before the World Championships Ksenia Polikarpova was ranked 56 in the world.