Varatchaya, Noppawan Advance in Canberra
Two national players Varatchaya Wongteanchai and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn got off to a winning start in their campaign at the US$50,000 ITF Women’s Pro Circuit in Canberra on Wednesday.
The country’s No 2 player Varatchaya came behind from 2-4 in the decisive set to beat American third seed Asia Muhammad 6-7 (0-7) 7-5 6-4 in the epic first round match which last two hours and 52 minutes.
The Thai doubles expert, winner of two WTA doubles titles this year, revenged for her 4-6 5-7 loss to the third-seeded American last week in the semi-final at Bendigo, also in Australia.
She will face Japanese Yuuki Tanaka of Japan, a 6-7 6-1 6-4 winner over Australian Storm Sanders, in the second round on Thursday.
Noppawan Lertcheewakarn
Noppawan, who won the SEA Games doubles gold medal with Varatchaya in Singapore two years ago, had a much easier time in her opening round match, ousting Australian wildcard entrant Voktorija Rajicic 6-3 7-5.
The former world junior No 1 will take on Japanese sixth seed Eri Hizumi in the next round.
