Phuket Sports: ITF Phuket reaches finals stages

PHUKET: Thailand’s Noppawan Lertcheewagarn exacted vengeance on Aiko Nakamura of Japan yesterday at the Chang ITF Pro Women’s circuit event being held at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club on Phuket.

Noppowan lost to Nakamura in their first and only meeting five years ago in the Pattaya Open.

Both are two-handed players and Noppawan was concerned going into the match that this aspect would go against her, stating that it makes it easier for players to read her shot direction better.

Seeded sixth for this tournament in singles play, Noppowan certainly took the game to the Japanese player and lost only four games over the two-set match.

Noppowan meets the tournament’s number one seed today, Erika Sema also from Japan in the semi-final.

Unfortunately, compatriot and wild-card entrant Peangtarn Plipuech failed to progress, losing to number three seed Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 7-5, 6-1.

Following their single’s battle, Sema and Noppowan joined forces for the doubles quarter-finals against Natela Dzalamidze and Marta Sirotkina from Russia. In a shock result, the number three seeds went down 6-1, 6-3 to the Russians.

The singles semi-finals begin tomorrow at 10am, with the final being played on Saturday, also at 10am.

— Neil Quail