For the second time in three matches Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum staged a remarkable recovery to enter the last four of the $125000 L&T Mumbai Open where the top stars will compete for the big points.
Her country’s top professional player, male or female, Luksika is already assured of $6000 and 57 points, which is a reflection of good tennis she has played this year.
On Friday, at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) courts, the 25-year-old Luksika disposed of the Chinese top seed, Saisai Zheng in three sets at 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The World No. 47, Saisai began proceedings in a confident manner, dictating the pace of the tussle from behind the baseline, but was thwarted from sustaining her controlled effort as the match entered the second set.
Crucial points
Like she caused a terrific turnaround against Y. Pranjala, the fifth seed Luksika demonstrated a courtcraft that won crucial points and restored parity. She hit a number of winners — down the line and cross-court — and forced her opponent into rallies.
Luksika led 5-1 in the third before Saisai lifted her game to win three games in a row. But, Luksika played some solid ground strokes to seal the match in her favour.
It has been a great year for Luksika; she won two ITF events Japan, reached the semifinals of two ITF events in China — both after a good run in the Australian Open where she played three qualifying rounds and as many in the main draw.
“Sometimes you have nothing to lose and just have to find a way to win. When it’s a tough day, I don’t think about it and just keep playing. I have played Saisai earlier this year and it was quite different that time,” said Luksika
Luksika will play Russian Margarita Gasparyan in the semifinals. After losing the opening set, Margarita hit back to oust Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.
The results (quarterfinals): Luksika Kumkhum (Tha) bt Saisai Zheng (Chn) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; Margarita Gasparyan (Rus) bt Danka Kovinic (Mne) 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1; Dalila Jakupovic (Svn) bt Jia-Jing Lu (Chn) 6-2, 6-3.