Luksika stuns Australian crowd on Grand Slam debut

Teenager Luksika Kumkhum pulled off the biggest upset of her career with a stunning 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 win over world No 39 Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden in the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.

Emerging triumphant from three rounds of qualifying, the 19-year-old never looked daunted on her Grand Slam debut as she extended her Melbourne run. Ranked 201st in the world, Luksika dominated play with two-handed groundstrokes to win the match in 89 minutes and become the second Thai woman to win a Grand Slam singles match, after Tamarine Tanasugarn.

"This is the biggest win in my life. I have never even played in such a huge tournament before. And I beat the world No 39 in a Grand Slam!" said a thrilled Luksika, who earned AUS$$45,500 (Bt1.44 million) for the win, her biggest prize purse to date.

"I'm so proud of myself. I may leave the money with my parents. I don't have any plans to spend it yet. I'm more concerned about my next match," added the Thai.

Luksika got off to a flying start, breaking her more experienced opponent to lead 2-0 in the first set. But five double faults from the Thai's racquet allowed the Swede to surge ahead to 5-3 with a chance to serve for the set. The Thai then showed guts to break right back and force a tie-breaker that she went on to win 7-6 (7-5), clinching the set in 43 minutes.

"I was thinking too much and serving poorly. But after 3-5 I tried not to go for the lines too much. When I made it to the tie-break, I told myself I had to win the set, and I needed to step up."

Games went to serve in the second set until the teenager reached a 5-4 lead. In a nervy game on the Swede's serve, Luksika squandered two match points at 15-40 before finally wrapping up the contest with her fourth match point.

"I went for too much and hit the first three match-point shots wide. But on the fourth, I hit a nice backhand cross-court to finish her off. Overall I played quite okay because I didn't like her style and conditions were very windy."

Luksika plays her second-round match against rising star Jamie Hampton of the US, who upset 31st seed Urszula Radwanska of Poland 6-2 6-4.

"She is an up-and-coming player with a big forehand and serves. She will be tough to beat but I like her game," said the Thai.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/01/16/luksika-stuns-australian-crowd-on-grand-slam-debut/