Five Thais Parade into Hua Hin Circuit 3 Quarter-finals
A record of five Thais reserved their quarter-final spots in the US$10,000 ITF Thailand Women’s Circuit 3 yesterday which marked the first time ever in all six home ITF series this year.
In five Hua Hin ITF legs plus the opener in Bangkok in August, this is the first week that local players proved most successful. Thanks to the departures of several tough foreign players who had already made their way back for home events.
The Wednesday’s Thai domination began with top seed and heavy favourite Bunyawi Thamchaiwat who ousted Chatchaya Sakchatchawan 6-2 6-3. But three other compatriots had a much easier time in handling their second round opponents.
Bunyawi Thamchaiwat
Fifth seed Varunya Wongteanchai spent just 49 minutes to vanquish Chinese qualifier Ji Xiangruyi 6-0 6-0 for her second quarter-final of the year since reaching the final in Hong Kong in July.
“My opponent is still in the junior level. Her ball speed was not so powerful and she returned quite short most of the time. So it was easy for me to attack her and she would miss in just a few shots,” said the 23-year-old Varunya from Bangkok.
With five out of eight quarter-finalists being Thai, the younger sister of national player Varatchaya believed this would be the week that a home girl would lift up an ITF trophy.
“At the top of the draw we have Bunyawi who should reach the final if she can maintain her level while Plobrung Plipuech is the favourite at the bottom of the draw. There’s a possibility we’ll have an all Thai final,” added Varunya who next faces Patcharin Cheapchandej, a surprise 6-2 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 winner over third seed Nudnida Luangnam.
The eighth seed Plobrung meanwhile demolished American Madison Bourguignon 6-1 6-0 to book her third quarter-final in five weeks.
Plobrung Plipuech
“After I lost the first game of the match on her serves, I never gave her any opportunity from then on. I stuck to my plan by being aggressive. I think she didn’t like my style which is why she hit so many errors,” said the 18-year-old who already received a tip from her eldest sister Peangtarn, the Thai No 2, on how to tackle Chinese second seed Zhao Di, through mobile message. Zhao meanwhile outlast American Kristina Smith 6-3 4-6 6-0.
“I didn’t know her so I sought help from my sister who is playing in China. She is a tough player but I know what I have to do to create my chance,” said the mighty mouse Thai.
The other Thai winner was seventh seed Tamachan Momkoonthod after a 6-0 6-0 demolition over Thitirat Kanaphuet. Fourth seed Natalija Kostic of Serbia pipped Arina Taluyenko of Kazakhstan 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 and Ng Kwan Yau of Hong Kong upset sixth seed Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy of India 6-4 6-2.
