Mananchaya, Palaphoom prove too strong for rivals
Rising stars Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Palaphoom Kovapitukted reigned supreme in the final rounds of the Singha Bangkok Open at the Impact Tennis Academy in Muang Thong Thani on Sunday.
Nakhon Ratchasima-born Mananchaya brushed aside a thigh injury to beat National Championships finalist Aunchisa Chanta 2-6 6-1 6-2 in the women’s singles showdown before national Davis Cup player Palapoom employed his aggressive baseline game to beat Thantup Suksumran 6-2 6-3 in the men’s final.
“I didn’t start well as I felt pain in my thighs,” said 18-year-old Mananchaya. “But I tried not to think about the pain and raised my level. I was able to dictate play as the match went on,” added the teenager in her first event after the Covid-19-break.
Palaphoom, 20, proved superior in all aspects of his game, smacking down heavy serves and groundstrokes to subdue his rival in 72 minutes.
“I’m happy to be able to live up to my level as this is just my second tournament this year. All the hard work that I’ve been doing with my team paid off,” said Palaphoom, who has personal hard and clay courts back at home in Chachoengsao province.
Due to the pandemic, the TATP series will be cut to two events this year from the normal five. The next stop will be at the same venue at the end of this month.
