Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul has set an ambitious target for next year

The country's new No 1 tennis player, Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, has set an ambitious target of cracking the top 250 by the end of next year.

The 21-year-old has been the most outstanding Thai male player this year with appearances in one semi-final in the Futures at Hua Hin and two quarter-finals in Hua Hin and Taiwan Futures besides winning one ATP Challenger doubles title in Bangkok.

Reaching his career best rank of No 742 in the world in August, Wishaya looked fitter than ever and was able to control his emotions during critical times. He credits the change in his persona to the help he received from a shrink and a physical trainer.

"To be a top player you need to have a professional team. I have been working with a physio who helped me become stronger and a mind coach who helped me control my emotion and build my confidence. That's why I have been showing some good results lately," said Wishaya, who had been hampered by shoulder injuries for the past two years.

"The injuries held me back for two years until I had a treatment in Australia late last year. I'm now playing without any injury concerns," said the Kingdom's ace, who never thought of pursuing a career in tennis.

"When I first picked up the racquet, it was just because I loved playing sports. I even played ice hockey before but I found that tennis is my life," said the well-built Wishaya, whose powerful baseline game reminds that of the country's former star Paradorn Srichaphan.

"To follow in the footsteps of Paradorn, I need to improve on so many things. For now, I will try to reach the top 250 at the end of 2017 and play the qualification rounds in Grand Slam events."

Wishaya will end his season by playing in three Men's Futures events in Hua Hin. His Friday's win in the TATP Masters in Bangkok has given him some inspiration to tackle his first round opponent Sanhui Shin, a qualifier from South Korea.

"All South Korean players are tough even though some have come through the qualifying route. But after winning my first title of the year in Bangkok, I'm confident about my game and I am ready for it," said Wishaya, who teamed up with Kittipong Wachiramanowong to beat Jirat Navasirisomboon and Patcharaphol Kawin 6-3 3-6 10-8 in the doubles first round yesterday.

A total of seven Thais will strut their stuff in singles action today at the True Arena Hua Hin. They include Davis Cup national player  Kittipong, who faces Japanese fifth seed Issei Okamura. Thai No 2 Jirat Navasirisomboon opens his campaign against South Korean qualifier Nam Hyun-woo, Thai No 3 Phassawit Buraparitta takes on seventh seed Hong Chung of South Korea, former Thai No 1 Pruchaya Isarow will play a lucky loser.

In the doubles first round, Pruchya Isarow and Chayanon Kaewsuto beat Nutthanon Kadchapanan 6-4 5-7 10-8, third seed Noh Sang-woo and Seol Jae-min of South Korea beat countrymen Chung Hong and Jeong Young-Hoon 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 10-6, Kim Jae-hwan and Kim Yu-seob of South Korea upset fourth seed Adrian Andrzejzuk and Mateusz Smolicki of Poland 6-4 4-6 12-10, Lim Yong-kyu and Lee Jea-moon of South Korea beat Aleksandr and Maksim Malyshev of Russia 6-4 7-5.