FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Varatchaya and Soylu qualify for WImbledon doubles maindraw

Varatchaya and Soylu qualify for WImbledon doubles maindraw

Varatchaya Wongteanchai successfully earned a maindraw spot at the All England for the first time after she and Ipek Soylu of Turkey rallied from a set down to beat Lesley Kerkhove of the Netherlands and Lidziya Marozova of Belarus 2-6 6-3 6-3 in the Wimbledon final qualifying round on Friday.

After playing in the maindraw of the 2016 US Open and 2017 Australian Open, Varatchaya is now in her third Major appearance, teaming up with the partner in the last minute.

“After Jessica (Jessica Moore, her previous partner) and I were struggling to find our form, we decided to part and get a new partner, hoping a change will make something good happen,” said the Thai doubles expert.

Varatchaya and Soylu qualify for WImbledon doubles maindraw

“But I was unable to find anyone who was available to play with me. I almost gave up. Then last Friday’s night I got a call from Ipek. This is our first time playing together,” added the 27-year-old from Chiangrai.

As they were not familiar with each other, the Turkish-Thai duo took time to adjust to each other as they would come back from losing the opener before prevailing in the first and final qualifying matches.

“This could be destiny. It turns out her style helps me play easier. She serves big and hits big to set up easy return for me to finish points,” said Varatchaya who lost the final qualifying round last year and did not receive the lucky-loser spot.

Unlike the Aussie Open and US Open, Varatchaya said she was happier to book a maindraw spot at the lawn Major as she really had to work hard to earn it. Next up in her agenda is to win her first match in a Grand Slam maindraw after being stopped in the first rounds in her two previous attempts.

“Every team in the maindraw will be tough. But I have nothing to lose. I will give my all to win my next match.”

The doubles maindraw will be conducted on Tuesday’s night. Varatchaya and Ipek is supposed to play on Thursday. 

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