Thailand No 1 Luksika targets second round at French Open
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Thai No 1 Luksika Kumkhum hopes to make headlines in her debut at the French Open with a win in her opening match on the Paris clay.
Luksika, ranked 115 in the world, failed to make it through qualifying last year at Roland Garros after she went down to Czech Republic’s Sandra Zahlavova.
“I don’t have high hopes on this surface, which is not the one I feel most comfortable with. I just have to take one mach at a time, but I’d love to win a round,” said the 20-year-old, who stunned Czech world No 6 Petra Kvitova 6-2 1-6 6-4 in the year’s opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.
Luksika, who reached a career-high of 87 earlier this year, warmed up for Paris’s clay at the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Sunday, but lasted just one match, going down easily to Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania 2-6 2-6 in the first qualifying round.
“I still need to get used to this surface. I have to adjust my footwork and move faster,” said Luksika, who will play world No 95 Teliana Pereira of Brazil in the first round at Roland Garros.
“Actually it will be tough, no matter who I play in the first round. I’m an underdog on this surface. I just have to maximise my efforts.”
