FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Haet outlasts Muramatsu for first ITF crown

Haet outlasts Muramatsu for first ITF crown

Qualifier Michaela Haet of Australia won her first ITF title after she outlasted Chihiro Muramatsu of Japan 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in three hour, 16 minutes battle in the final of the in the US$15,000 Cal-Comp & XYZ Printing ITF Pro Circuit W2 at the True Arena Hua Hin on Saturday.

For the second week in a row, a champion in Hua Hin e,erged from the qualifying round. Seven days ago, Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej, a qualifier, lifted her maiden title. Haet had lost t0 her Japanese two times duirng their junior years. Yesterday it was a different story.

Haet outlasts Muramatsu for first ITF crown

On Friday, Muramatsu, 18, had to settle at runners-up in the doubles final when she and her partner Fatma Al Nabhani of Oman lost to Chinese Chen Jiahui and Zhang Ying 4-6 1-6 . The Japanese upset top seed Harriett Dart of Great Britian 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 7-5 in the singles semi-final  match that last four hours and five minutes). The physical and mental exertion showed in the doubles action as Muramatsu and her partner lost tamely.

By reaching the finals, the 18-year-old Haet will receive a wildcard into the maindraw for the US$25,000 ITF which starts at this venue on Monday. Other three wildcard players are Patcharin and two teenage rising stars Watsachol Sawasdee and Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

Thai No 2 Peangtarn Plipuech, Nicha Lertpitaksinchai and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn are the Thai main hopes in the tournament which features world No 250 Jacquelin Cako of the US as the top seed.

Haet outlasts Muramatsu for first ITF crown

Chinese Chen Jiahui and Zhang Ying

 

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