FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Tammy expects Luksika to match her record in Melbourne

Tammy expects Luksika to match her record in Melbourne

 Former Thai No 1 Tamarine Tanasugarn believed her successor Luksika Kumkhum can match her record at the Melbourne Park as the Thai ace faces Croatian world No 89 Petra Martic this morning in the Australian Open third round.

The retired tennis player who is working as a temporary commentator for Fox Sports on its coverage of the on-going Major was confident the Thai qualifier would pass the hurdle for a spot in the last 16 which she also achieved in 1998.

"Luksika is more mature and is physical stronger. In the past she would lose concentration after taking the first set but these days she is very focused," said the 40-year-old Tammy who reached her career highest at No 19 in 2002.

"Luksika is fast and has good anticipation of the ball direction. She has good wrists and hits the ball like table tennis players. Her flat and powerful groundstrokes give her opponents a tough time," the winner of four WTA singles titles said.

"For Martic, she has good serves and can play slice. She has a variety of shots to play. But If Luksika beat (Sara) Errani (of Italy in the last qualifying round), who has similar style, she can do the same with Martic," Tamarine added.

Luksika upset Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the second round on Wednesday for her best run at the Australian Open. She beat the Croatian 3-6 6-3 6-1 in Taiwan five years ago. Their match is due at 7am today at the Rod Lever Arena and can be watched on Truevision 680.

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