Open is lucky for Luksika

The 24-year-old from Chanthaburi employed her fierce penetrating groundstrokes to overpower the Italian 6-4 6-1 in just 72 minutes for her fifth main-draw appearance in the opening Major of the year.

“I was a bit nervous at the beginning as she used to be a top player. But I was well prepared for her high spin ball and solid baseline game, “said the 125th-ranked Luksika, who blast 39 winners in the match.

Luksika attacked both wings to break the former world No 5 for a 3-1 lead. A double fault from the 14th ranked Italian rewarded a double break for the Thai to go up 5-1 before she whipped a forehand winner on her third match point to close the deal.

“After the first set, I felt more comfortable and confident with my game. I knew I had to keep her out of her comfort zone,” she added.

Of all the four Majors, Luksika has always been at her best in Melbourne – she had two second-round appearances in Melbourne, in 2013 and 2014, following stunning wins over Sofia Avridsson of Sweden and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic.

She opted to skip the Asia/Pacific Wild Card playoff for the Major in December which she won in 2016, believing she could make it through the qualifying rounds.

“I’ve had experience at the qualifying rounds before and knew I stand at great chance. Besides, I could get at least 20 points winning two rounds which is better than losing the main draw first round and get just one point,” added Luksika who receive 40 points already from three matches.

But her main goal is yet to be fulfilled. She longed for more than what she achieved in 2013 and 2014.

“I haven’t been in the third round of a Grand Slam before. So I’m looking forward to better my record here,” she said.