Kavcic takes the title as Soeda retires with injury
Former champion Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia lifted his 14th Challenger title when his Japanese rival Go Soeda was forced to retire due to a back injury during their showdown in the final of the US$50,000 Wind Energy Holding Bangkok Open at Rama Gardens Hotel
The 29-year-old, winner here in 2013, breezed through the opening set 6-0 in just 24 minutes before the world No 147 from Tokyo, after only two points in the second set, walked to the net to shake hands.
It was the first title for Kavcic this year. Currently ranked 330 in the world, Kavcic’s last win was in Shenzhen, China, in May last year. Kavcic won the champion’s prize money of US$7,200, leaving Soeda to be content with the runner’s up money of $4,240.
Kavcic will jump 100 places to be inside the top 230 in the world today after this victory.
“It feels great to be back on the winning track and claim my 14th title on the ATP Challenger Tour. It feels even better to be healthy and able to play 100 per cent. I’m looking forward for the rest of the season,” Kavcic, who returned to the circuit after a surgery on his foot in January, said. Kavcic and Soeda met in the final of the Winnipeg Challenger in July where Soeda beat the Slovenian in three sets.
Soeda had to settle for runner-up place in Bangkok after losing the Challenger 1 title match in January to former world No 8 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-3 6-4.
Meanwhile in Hua Hin, Briton-Thai Jamie Asanee Praditngam defied illness to beat Suthinan Tanthaseraneewat 6-2 6-1 to book a spot in the main draw of the Hua Hin Men’s Futures for the second straight week.
The 21-year-old, whose Thai father is a restaurant owner in the Midlands, United Kingdom, battled through cold in the last qualifying round at the True Arena Hua Hin.
“I played better than yesterday but still feel a bit ill. It happens, so I just have to deal with it,” said the Briton-Thai, who lost in the first round in three sets to Frenchman second seed Antoine Escoffier last week.
Only one Thai made it to the main draw. Chayanon Kaewsuto beat 15-year-old Thantub Suksumrarn 7-5 6-2 in an all-Thai affair to qualify. Top seed Aaron Addison of Australia beat Patcharapol Kawin 6-4 6-4 while second seed Ken Onishi of Japan beat Grittaboon Prahmanee 6-4 6-4.
The main draw matches start today with last week’s runner-up Seong Chang Hong of South Korea the top seed. Thai stars Pol Wattanakul, Kittipong Wachiramanowong, Pruchya Isarow and Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul are all in action this week.
