Luksika stuns Australian crowd on Grand Slam debut
Teenager Luksika Kumkhum pulled off the biggest upset of her career with a stunning 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over world No 39 Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.
Emerging triumphant from three rounds of qualifying, the 19-year-old never looked daunted on her Grand Slam debut as she extended her Melbourne run. Ranked 201st in the world, Luksika dominated play with two-handed groundstrokes to win the match in 89 minutes and become the second Thai woman to win a Grand Slam singles match, after Tamarine Tanasugarn.
“This is the biggest win in my life. I have never even played in such a huge tournament before. And I beat the world No 39 in a Grand Slam!” said a thrilled Luksika, who earned AUS$$45,500 (Bt1.44 million) for the win, her biggest prize purse to date.
“I’m so proud of myself. I may leave the money with my parents. I don’t have any plans to spend it yet. I’m more concerned about my next match,” added the Thai.
Luksika got off to a flying start, breaking her more experienced opponent to lead 2-0 in the first set. But five double faults from the Thai’s racquet allowed the Swede to surge ahead to 5-3 with a chance to serve for the set. The Thai then showed guts to break right back and force a tie-breaker that she went on to win 7-6 (7-5), clinching the set in 43 minutes.
“I was thinking too much and serving poorly. But after 3-5 I tried not to go for the lines too much. When I made it to the tie-break, I told myself I had to win the set, and I needed to step up.”
Games went to serve in the second set until the teenager reached a 5-4 lead. In a nervy game on the Swede’s serve, Luksika squandered two match points at 15-40 before finally wrapping up the contest with her fourth match point.
“I went for too much and hit the first three match-point shots wide. But on the fourth, I hit a nice backhand cross-court to finish her off. Overall I played quite okay because I didn’t like her style and conditions were very windy.”
Luksika plays her second-round match against rising star Jamie Hampton of the US, who upset 31st seed Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-2 6-4.
“She is an up-and-coming player with a big forehand and serves. She will be tough to beat but I like her game,” said the Thai.
