Noppawan loses match
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Noppawan Lertcheewakarn put up a gutsy fight against US Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia before losing a nailing-biting first-round match at the US$220,000 HP Japan Women's Open in Osaka yesterday.
The Thai qualifier ranked 168th in the world appeared to be surrendering easily in the final set, trailing the world No 6 5-2. But she rallied back with her double-fisted groundstrokes to level at five-all then had several break points.
Experience told, however, as the Grand Slam winner held and then broke serve easily in the next game to close out the match 6-3 3-6 7-5.
Thai No 1 and defending champion Tamarine Tanasugarn meets Frenchwoman Mathilde Johansson in the second round today.
