Stunning Patcharin emerges champion
Unheralded Patcharin Cheapchandej completed her surprise run to the final of the US$15,000 Cal-Comp & XYZ Printing ITF Pro Circuit W1 with a maiden ITF title at the True Arena Hua Hin yesterday.
The Thai defeated Zhang Ling of China 6-1 7-5.
The 22-year-old, who decided to leave Norway to pursue a tennis career in Thailand, is the first Thai to win an ITF singles event this season.
“Winning the title was beyond me. I never reached a semi-final of an ITF event before,” said Patcharin, who won seven matches in a row from the qualifying rounds.
“I was well prepared in terms of fitness and mental condition. I didn’t set any particular goal except to play my best tennis since the qualifying round,” said Patcharin, who never lost to any player at the True Arena since December where she won two consecutive Asian Tennis Tour circuit tournaments.
Since she was engaged in the final yesterday, Patcharin could not make it to the qualifying rounds of Circuit two tournament, which was being played concurrently. However, she received an exemption and a place in the main draw of the tournament, which starts on Monday.
