Ex-champs Pruchya and Kamonwan taste success after years out of the limelight
Former national players Pruchya Isarow and Kamonwan Buayam ended their long wait for singles titles, winning the men’s and women’s singles events at the Singha TATP Championship at the Impact Tennis Academy Muangthong Thani on Sunday.
Pruchya, the former national No 1, was given a tough fight by Krittin Koaykul before he prevailed 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-2) for the men’s trophy after almost three hours of a gruelling battle.
Kamonwan also took three sets to beat teenage qualifier Pimrada Jattavapornvanit 3-6 6-2 6-3.
It has been three years since the 25-year-old Pruchya had tasted singles success. He had been preoccupied with his studies in Sports Science at Chulalongkorn University and celebrated his Graduation Day only last month.
“It’s so amazing to have this feeling again,” said Pruchya, a former Davis Cupper. “I barely had time to focus on my tennis, as I had to study and complete an internship. Now that I have already graduated, I can concentrate on tennis again. And it has paid off,” said Pruchya, who also had reached the final of a tournament in Hua Hin last week.
Against Krittin, Pruchya was up and down throughout the match but regained his composure in the third set tie-break as his opponent began to fade away.
“I had so many breaks, but I wasted them. I had to rely on my first serve and to really stay focused to win the tie-break,” added Pruchya.
Kamonwan, 24, had been hampered with injuries for several years after winning two ITF titles in 2015. But she never gave up hope and finally ended her four-year title drought.
“I never stopped believing. I have to thank my parents and my team for helping me get through all the tough phases of my life,” she said.
