Wishaya and Patcharin escape brink of defeat to win home ITF
Top seed Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul and national Fed Cup player Patcharin Cheapchandej completed the Thai domination in the US$15,000 PTT ITF Men’s and Women's events after they survived match points to win the men’s and women’s singles final on Saturday.
Wishaya, 23, came back from two match points to beat fellow countryman Pruchya Isaro 6-2 4-6 7-6 (8-6) in the first all Thai final showdown of Men’s Futures tournament at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand tennis complex.
Patcharin, playing on a nearby court, staved off a couple of match points as well to beat Taiwanese Lee Hua-Chen, winner in the last week’s circuit here, 3-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-2 in two hours and 41 minutes.
Their wins meaned all titles including the men’s and women’s doubles were won by Thais which marked the first time ever in the Thai tennis history. On Friday Pruchya and Canadian Kesley Stevenson won the men’s doubles while Nudnida Luangnam and Bunyawi Thamchaiwat won the women’s doubles.
For Wishaya he finally lifted up a title after reaching two finals earlier this year in China and Japan. He has won two ITF titles with the first one occuring at this venue last October.
“Coming back from two match points to win the title is a good boost to my confidence. It’s nice to play Pruchya in the first all Thai final match in Men’s Futures. This is very good for Thai tennis,” said Wishaya who will play two more Futures events in Hua Hin before returning to the Challenger Tour.
“My goal for the rest of the season is to play consistent on the Challenger level,” added the 459th-ranked player.
Patcharin, one of the most in-form Thai players at the moment, dug deep to outlast the Taiwanese foe to capture her third ITF title after her first and second in Hua Hin (2017) and at this same venue last year.
“I didn’t know how I managed to get back in the match. She is so solid that it was hard to hit clean winners against her. So I had to keep the ball in play and waited for the right moments to go for my shots,” said the Thai No 3.
Despite her good results (one quarter-finals, two semi-finals and one title) this season, Patcharin has no sponsor and was not recruited in the Asian Games team last month. Because of financial factor, she has no plan to compete overseas and will make money by playing locally only. She also denied rumours that she planned to retire.
“I never said I wanted to quit. I just have to play at home only as it takes a lot of money to go on the tour. My mom is getting older so I can’t keep asking her money to pursue my career. I just have to accept the fact that playing overseas is out of my reach,” said Patcharin who is now coached by her boyfriend Watcharaphong Iamlaor.
