Bunyawi On A Winning Streak

Bunyawi who just turned 18 last week rallied back from 3-5 down to win her six straight match in a row after claiming the title in a local TATP Tour at the nearby Muang Thong Tennis Academy.

“I was a bit tired in the first set as I just finished my last tournament on Sunday. Also the ball here was a bit faster than last week. So it took me awhile to adjust and find my momentum” said the teenager from Nakhon Ratchasima who made a strong Fed Cup Davis earlier this year by winning all three rubbers.

After falling 3-5 behind, Bunyawi reeled off four games in a row to take the opening set in 51 minutes. Thanks to her weapon aggressive baseline game. She broke right from start in the second set but her forehand let her down the next two games as she fell 1-2.

The local rising star who reached a semi-final in a US$25,000 event in Goyang South Korea this year cut down unforced errors, dominating three straight games, after 3 all, to seal off the victory.

“I went too much on the forehand side and missed it. So I tried to slow down my game, tuning myself back in to win. Winning last week is a good warm-up for me this week,” said Bunyawi who will face either fourth seed Ling Zhang or qualifier Katherine IP, both from Hong Kong, in round two on Wednesday.

“I used to lose to Katherine in Hong Kong this year but I’m ready to return her the favour this time. For Ling, I have never seen her before but I think I will be ready for the match.”

In the other first round matches, fifth seed Choi Ji-hee of South Korea beat Varunya Wongteanchai 6-4 6-1. Eighth seed Shiho Akita of Japan won a marathon battle over Thai qualifier Patcharin CHeapchandej 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 3-6 after two hours and 54 minutes. Miyabi Inoue beat qualifier Mai Minokoshi 6-3 2-6 6-2 in the all Japanese affair.