Luksika Topple American Rival For 1st Wimby Maindraw.
Thai No 1 Luksika Kumkhum successfully booked her spot in the Wimbledon maindraw for the first time after she beat American Vania King 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the final qualifying round on Friday.
Luksia, ranked No 170 in the world, fought back from 5-6 down in the first set to beat the 156 th ranked King, the 2006 Bangkok Open champion, for her second win over the Taiwanese-American whom she beat in Japan two years ago.
“It was very difficult to play today as it was very windy and I was not at my top form like in the second round. I just had to hang in there and figured out ways to win as she was quite solid and had good forehand down the line,” said the former world No 85.
“As she was serving for the first set at 6-5, I was determined to break her back or I would lose the set. I did what I had to do and tried not to give her easy points. And things worked for me from then on,” added Luksika.
Three match wins in the qualification was a great recovery for Luksika who won just only one match from five previous tournaments before coming to Wimbledon. She now has appeared in the maindraw of three Majors including the Australian Open (2013, 2014, 2016) and the French Open (2014).
“I also like to give credit to my coach (Subin Sricha-aen) for being with me through good and bad times and my sponsor Singha for all support.”
“There’s nothing to lose from now on. No matter who I have to play in the maindraw I will be ready,” Luksika said.
