Palaphoom and Patcharin outgun rivals in Singha Classic finals
Young gun Palaphoom Kovapitukted and the experienced Patcharin Cheapchandej reigned supreme on the final day of the TATP’s Singha Classic Tennis Tournament at the Impact Tennis Academy in Nonthaburi province on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Palaphoom, winner of the previous leg of the TATP swing, bounced back from a second-set lapse to upset Thai No. 2 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 to win his second title of the season.
Patcharin, meanwhile, benefited from a barrage of unforced errors from her young opponent, Watsachol Sawatdee, to win the women’s final comfortably 6-1 6-2.
Based in Chachoengsao province, Palaphoom had recently lost to the country’s ace in another local event at the LTAT National Tennis Centre. It was a sweet revenge for the young blood who had never beaten his rival before.
“I felt uncomfortable having to deal with his big serves and big groundstrokes,” said Palaphoom. “It was tough to break him. So, I had to chase down all shots and return them to put him under pressure,” added the in-form Thai who will have a few weeks off before joining ITF events in Hua Hin.
Likewise, Patcharin, 25, relied on her solid baseline game to counter-punch the hard-hitting Watsachol.
“I had to run a lot of balls back as my opponent hit big. I also served very well and set up easy points. This win is a good pay-off for all the hard work and will keep me motivated,” Patcharin said. The national Fed Cup player has celebrated two titles this season.
