Luksika routs rival to win ITF event
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Local No 1 Luksika Kumkhum lived up to the expectations after she tamed Lisa Whybourn of Britain 6-0 7-5 in the final of the US$25,000 Chang-SAT ITF Pro Circuit at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club in Phuket yesterday.
The top seed, who opted to play on her favourite cement surface in Asia during the clay season, dominated the opening set with aggressive double-fisted groundstrokes. She then found some resistance from the seventh-seeded opponent who fought back from 1-3 to level at four all in the second set.
But with superior baseline game, Luksika, who reached the second round at the Australian Open as a qualifier, generated a crucial break to surge ahead 6-5 before holding the next game to wrap up the title match. It was her first ITF trophy since she last won an event in Kazakhstan in July last year.
“I’m happy to finally win a tournament after almost a year. It was a load off to win the final as everyone expected me to win,” said the world No 135.
Luksika’s win means Thai players made a clean sweeping in the opening leg of the US$25,000 as Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and Peangtarn Plipuech had lifted up the doubles trophy together earlier on Friday.
However, Luksika along with several Thais, including No 3 Nudnida Luangnam, Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, Nicha and Peangtarn, will miss the second week in Phuket as they all enter a US$50,000 event in Gifu, Japan.
After Japan, the Thai No 1 will head to train on clay in European on her least favourite surface before the start of the French Open qualifying round, which starts on May 20.
“I’d rather play on the surface that I more comfortable. That’s why I’m playing in Asia and will play only one clay tournament in Roland Garros,” said the Kingdom’s ace.
