Peangtarn's all-round skills too much for Cako
Peangtarn Plipuech proved that power game is not the only option in modern tennis as she relied on her all-round skills to crown herself champion in the US$25,000 Cal-Comp & XYZ Printing ITF Pro Circuit W3 at the True Arena yesterday.
Not a big-hitter like many of her peers, the Thai No 2 combined delicate strokes, slices and occasional net play to beat five of her opponents this week. Her latest victim was Jacqueline Cako of the US whom she beat 6-4 6-2 in the final yesterday for her second US$25,000 title. Last August, she won her maiden title in Tsukuba, Japan.
“I guess the girls are not comfortable with my style. I mix a variety of shots and my opponents lose patience,” said the 24-year-old, the only Thai to have won a US$25,000 ITF event or higher singles title over the past two years.
The 238th-ranked Cako picks precision than power. After rain halted action for almost an hour at two-all, Peangtarn managed a break with two forehand passing shots to go 5-4 up and comfortably served out the set.
Cako became increasingly inconsistent in the second set and the Thai scored a double break to lead at 5-2. Serving for the title at 5-2, Peangtarn was down 0-40 but won the next five points to seal the victory in 75 minutes.
Peangtarn will jump to her career best 230 when WTA rankings are updated tomorrow. Above all, she will move a step closer to her target of entering the qualification of a Grand Slam this year.
“I have never played in a Grand Slam event before, so I’m really motivated to be able to do that this year. But I need to be in the top 210 to get a spot. If it’s not in Wimbledon, I hope it will be at the US Open,” said Peangtarn, who will next play in Goyang, South Korea, later this month.
