THAI SENSATION SETTLES FOR RUNNER-UP
Bunyawi Thamchaiwat's hope to win her second ITF title was shattered into pieces yesterday after she squandered two set points before losing to Japanese top seed Hiroko Kuwata 3-6 6-7 (4-7) in the final of the US$15,000 Chang ITF Women's Circuit 8 at Ra
The Thai teenager, after losing the opening set, rallied back from 0-4 down in the second set and survived two match points at 2-5 to serve for level at 6-5 and 40-15. Out of no where a string of unforced errors sprang out of her racquet as she dropped serves and lost the tie-break and the match after one hour and 44 minutes of fight.
“I’ve learned a lot from this match. In critical moment she was more focused and more consistent whereas I rushed things up and went for risky shots too much,” said the 17-year-old, winner of Circuit 4 at this court four months earlier.
“Besides, I served so many double faults (10 in total). I need to fix on my serves after this. Overall I played well except for my serves while she has the edge on experience,” added Bunyawi from Nakhon Ratchasima.
For the world No 217 Kuwata this was her fourth ITF victory after winning in Kofu, 2012 and in Usak and Kyoto in 2013. However she will not take part in Circuit 9 which starts here on Monday.
Japanese Ayaka Okuno, No 298, will be the top seed with Circuit 2 champion Chanel Simmonds of South Africa, No 313, as the second seed.
