Kavcic Extends Invincible Match Wins in Bangkok

The 2013 and 2016 champion needed just 69 minutes to win his 12 matches in a row here under the tailor made condition.

“I always want to come back here. I played here twice and won twice. It’s one of my favourite places to come. I’m happy that I’m healthy and I hope I can win some more matches,” said the former world No 68 who underwent a foot surgery in early 2016.

“I was fighting hard to win the match (with Weintraub).  It was always tough to play first matches in the season as you didn’t know what to do to. But I think I did the right things to win the match. I hope I can raise the level in the next matches,” added the 29-year-old Slovenian who will take on Chilean clay specialist Christian Garin who came back from a break down in the second set to upset the world No 121 and second seed Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 3-6 6-4 7-5.

Christian Garin

“Even I was down a break in the second set, I kept trying and I played really at the end of the second set. Istomin is a good player. I want to keep going like this to win this tournament,” said the 20-year-old world No 211 who normally plays on clay in South America.

“I want to keep developing on hard court as I think I can play well on this surface. Winning a match like this really gives me confidence on hard court. (Against Kavcic today) If I can play like today, I think I can win” added the winner of eight Futures titles and one Challenger crown, all were on clay.

In the other second round matches, Jeremy Jahn of Germany upset sixth seed Di Wu of China 6-3 3-6 6-4 while top seed and 2015 champion Yuichi Sugita of Japan who vanquished Marsel Ilhan of Turkey 6-2 6-4.

In the doubles quarter-finals, Yuichi Sugita and Di Wu beat Yannick Mertens of Belgium and Jordi Samper-Montana of Spain 7-5 6-4.

Thai hopes Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana are to face Gregorie Barrere of France and Jonathan Eysseric of France in today’s semi-finals.