Ploprung Eyes On Causing Some Stir in Hua Hin Circuit 3
Plobrung Plipuech was poised at causing an impact in the ongoing US$10,000 ITF Thailand Women’s Circuit 3 as she rebounded from a sluggish first set to beat Chompoothip Jindakate 2-6 6-1 6-2 in the first round on Tuesday.
Playing in the fifth consecutive ITF events in Hua Hin with several tournaments being cancelled in a month span in mourning for the passing of His Majesty the King, the 18-year-old hoped to go deep this week before the long break.
The ATP Challenger, the WTA 125k and Asian Tennis Tour series for the women were all cancelled at the True Arena Hua Hin. The Thailand ITF series will resume on November 21.
“As this is the final week before the break, I want to produce the best result to accumulate the ranking points as I don’t have budget to play overseas tournament yet,” said the teenager, youngest sister of Thai No 2 Peangtarn Plipuech.
Plobrung Plipuech
But it took the diminutive player for a while to tune her momentum at the beginning in her first round match on Tuesday. And even rain came to her rescue which suspended play for three hours at 1-2 in the first set, Plobrung was still unable to change the momentum and surrendered the first at ease. However from then on she summoned her A game to turn the tide.
“While she was playing well in the first set, I was not so ready and my feet were slow. So I knew I had to start the second set more aggressive, moving her out of the court and finish the points,” said the teenage rising star.
Next up for her is American qualifier Madison Bourguignon, a year her senior. She completely has no idea about this rival and will find out when they are on court this morning.
“I’m not the type of person who will go back and study about my opponent as it will make me think too much. I prefer to figure things out during the match,” she said.
Joining her in the second round was third seeded Nudnida Lunagnam, the tournament’s most senior at 29 who ousted qualifier Watsachol Sawasdee 6-2 6-3. Fifth seed Varunya Wongteanchai also moved on, dropping just a game to get rid of Yanin Wisitwarapron 6-0 6-1.
Nudnida Luangnam
Fourth seed Natalija Kostic of Serbia wasted just 56 minutes to beat Pei Tingting of China 6-3 6-2 and Arina Taluyenko of Kazakhstan beat Yu Lu of China 7-6 (7-2) 6-3. The only Chinese winner was Ji Xiangruyi after she cruised past Elyse Edwards of Australia 6-1 6-2.
