Support from Dad Inspires Nudnida to Maximise Effort on Court.
Veteran Nudnida Luangnam found inspiration from a rare support of her father at the court as she eased past doubles partner Varunya Wongteanchai 6-1 6-2 to reach the final of the US$10,000 Cal-Comp & XYZ Printing ITF women’s Pro Circuit 4 at True Arena Hua Hin on Friday.
The country’s oldest active female player at 29 relied on her more solid baseline game to set a final clash with Russian top seed Natela Dzalamidze which will be the Thai first singles final in 20 months.
The former world top 200 said a special support from her father Adul, a recently retired high-school teacher, was a good boost to maximize her effort this week.
“Just seeing his face during a point makes me happy,” said the current world No 604. “My dad barely came to court in the past because of his work. So this week is very special for me,” added the winner of nine ITF titles.
The former SEA Games silver medallist in fact could barely walk at the start of the year due to foot injury and just returned to the circuit a few months ago.
“To be able to reach the final again after seven months not being to play is beyond imagination. I have had tough matches from the first round and even faced match points. Today both Varunya and I were exhausted from our previous matches but I was just mentally tougher.”
Nudnida has a tough final task against the top seed Dzalamidze who thrashed Natalija Kostic of Serbia 6-3 6-3 for her first final appearance in 2016.
“Like many Russian players Dzalamidze has powerful game. But I have done far better than I would have expected at the start of the week. I’m enjoying tennis more than ever. No matter what happens in the final I will be happy.”
The 23-year-old from Moscow has been hot on her heels, dropping no more than seven games in each of the past four matches despite her distaste of the humid condition.
“I felt pretty bad on the court in the second set as the condition was not perfect for me. My opponent played the game that I didn’t like, hitting a lot of slices and drop shots to change the rhythm. I was surprised that I played consistently throughout the match,” said the 388th ranked Russian whose last ITF singles title occurred in Astana, July 2015.
“A lot of things will account for tomorrow’s final. The head and the physical condition and how each of us play. I just have to be well prepared and do my best.”
In the doubles final, beat Kamonwan Buayam and Zhang Ling of Hong Kong 6-4 6-3 for the trophy.
Thai rising star Kamonwan Buayam, right, and doubles partner Zhang Ling of Hong Kong with their unhappy look after losing the final 4-6 3-6 to Jawairiah Noordin of Malaysia and Jessy Rompies of Indonesia in the US$10,000 Cal-Comp & XYZ Printing ITF women’s Pro Circuit 4 at True Arena Hua Hin on Friday.
