Phassawit Falls to Sarkkisian
Sixth seed Alexander Sarkissian of the United States beat Thai wild card Phassawit Burapharitta 75 26 61 in a rain interrupted match at the US$50,000 KPN Renewables Bangkok Open Challenger at Rama Gardens Hotel on Monday.
Sarkissian, ranked world No 173, suffered under the baking heat before fighting back from 15 down in the opening set. After relinquishing the second set, the ponytailed American got a lucky three-hour rain break and returned to dominate the final set, winning it in just 30 minutes.
“The conditions were tough with the humidity and heat. I managed to pull it off in the third set. We had a little rain delay, got a rest and I managed to recuperate to win the third set,” said the 26yearold from California. He will play the winner of the match between Australia Matt Ried and Japanese Yuya Kibi tomorrow.
Three Thais, all wild cards, are in action today. Teenage Jirat Navasirisomboon meets Sam Barry of Ireland, Kittipong Wachiramanowong faces Taiwanese Jason Jung and Wichaya Trongcharoenchaikul takes on American Sekou Bangoura.
World No 95 Sam Groth, holdฌer of the world’s fastest serve of 263.4km/hour (163.7mph) recorded at a Busan Challenger in 2012, is the tournament top seed. He will play Liam Broady of Britain today. Second seed Lu Yen-hsun of Taiwan, who reached the final last week in Seoul, will play American Connor Smith.
In the final qualifying rounds, top seed Lloyd Glasspool of Britain blasted 11 aces to beat Thai No 2 Pruchya Isarow 6-3 6-0.
