Patcharin fights hard to shock Sizikova
Patcharin Cheapchandej caused a stir in the opening round of the US$25,000 Singha CalComp & XYZ Printing ITF Women’s Circuit, clawing back from a set down to upset fourth seed Yana Sizikova of Russia 26 62 64 at the True Arena Hua Hin on Monday.
The 21-year-old wild card entrant was trailing 0-3 in the decisive set before she gritted her teeth and fought back. She wrapped up the marathon battle in two hours and 19 minutes.
“I just stuck to my game plan by attacking her weakness. Although, I was trailing 3-0 and 4-1 in the third set, I kept doing what I had to do, and it worked,” said Patcharin, who hails from Bangkok.
“The weather condition could have been tough for her as she is from Russia. I myself even felt a bit uneasy in the second se but I just hung in there. I’m happy to pull this off,” said Patcharin, who took to tennis seriously only at 18 after finishing high school in Norway.
“I was pondering if I wanted to live a normal life by sitting in a class or working in an office from nine to five. So I decided to come back to Thailand and pursue a career in tennis. " I think I made the right decision as I enjoy this sport,” added Patcharin, who will play the winner of the match between China’s Kang JiaQi and Indian Karman Kaur Thandi in the second round
While Patcharin survived, compatriot Tamachan Momkoonthod crashed out, falling to Mizuno Kijima of Japan 6-2 2-6 6-3. Third seed Kataryzna Kawa of Poland needed just 66 minutes to beat Su-nam Jeong of South Korea 6-3 6-3 while Filipino Katharina Lehnert caused another upset by beating seventh seed Choi Ji-Hee of South Korea 6-7 (2-7) 6-1 7-6 (7-2).
Today five Thais will be in action. Nudnida Luangnam faces Na Ri Kim of South Korea, while Noppawan Lertcheewakarn takes on Russian sixth seed Marta Paigina while eighth seed Kamonwan Buayam plays her close buddy Bunyawi Thamchaiwat. Qualifier Plobrung Plipuech meets Chinese Jiaxi Lu.
