Luksika breaks her two-year title drought
Thai ace Luksika Kumkhum lifted her first singles title in two years when she outlasted former world No 20 Alisa Kleybanova of Russia 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 in the final of the Cal-Com & XYZ Printing ITF Pro Circuit at the True Arena Hua Hin yesterday.
After three hours and 28 minutes battle, the top seed and world No 178 from Chanthaburi proved physically and mentally tougher than her unranked Kleybanova, who received a wildcard into the tournament, for her first win since 2015 at Xuzhou, China.
“I think three hours and 28 minutes is my new record. As I said earlier, I went into the match as an underdog. She was a top 20 player before,” said the 24-year-old after winning her fifth ITF title.
“I’m happy to win my first title after a long time. She really pushed me hard even though it was her first tournament after coming back from injury. Once she is fully fit, she will be difficult to beat,” said the Thai No 1, who was using the tournament as a tune-up for the SEA Games next month.
“I still have one more US$25,000 event in Nonthaburi on August 14 before the SEA Games. Winning this week gives me confidence for the battles ahead,” said Luksika, who earned US$3,919 for her victory.
Earlier on Friday, she and Ksenia Palkina Ulukan of Kyrgyzstan beat Naiktha Bains of Australia and Karin Kennel of Switzerland 6-3 2-6 14-12 for the doubles title.
The 28-year-old Kleybanova played her last tournament, an ITF event in Galati, Romania, in May last year, where she was forced to retire during the qualifying round against Cristina Bajescu of Romania. The Moscow-based player, who won the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012. She has won two WTA titles in Kuala Lumpur and Seoul in 2010 and reached No 20 in the world rankings in February 2011.
