Luksika falls at the first hurdle
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Luksika Kumkhum's campaign in the US Open ended early yesterday when she was shown the exit by American teenager Victoria Duval in the first qualifying round.
The Kingdom’s ace took the opening set from her 336th-ranked opponent 7-5 but faded away 3-6 1-6 after two hours and eight minutes of baseline battle. Luksika has failed in her attempts to book a berth in the main draw of this year’s US Open and Wimbledon, leaving her best result in a major as second-round appearances in the Australian Open in 2013 and 2014. Luksika’s loss in New York means Varatchaya Wongteanchai is the lone Thai standing. The Thai No 2 will open her campaign against Laura Pous Tio of Spain.
Elsewhere, in Tsukuba, Japan SEA Games gold medallist Noppawan Lertcheewakarn took two hours and 19 minutes to beat Choi Jihee of South Korea 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 in the opening round of the US$25,000 Sekisho Challenge Open at the Tsukuba Hokubu Koen Tennis Court yesterday.
Also Nicha Lertpitaksinchai toppled Chihiro Nunome of Japan 6-4 7-5 in one hour and 44 minutes.
