Attapol shows his talent
Despite a two-year break from the tennis circuit, ex-champion Attapol Ritthiwattanapong proved that he has still got the game as he stunned second-seeded Kirati Siributwong to reach the Bt1-million National Tennis Championships semi-finals yesterday.
The 1999 champion, whose post-graduate studies at Bangkok University have kept him away from the courts, came back from a set down to produce the biggest surprise of the tournament with a 2-6 7-5 6-4 win over Kirati. The result was far beyond the expectations of the 26-year-old mass communications student, who only picked up his racquet again the day before the tournament began. "I feel old when I see all these young players. I'm not as fit as they are so I cannot counter punch with them. So, I rely on my experience,'' said Attapol, who meets Peerachat Chaiyapan into today's semi-final. Peerachat was the other surprise winner on the day after ousting third-seeded Pongsiri Niroj 6-1 6-1. Top seed Weerapat Dokmaiklee and fourth-seeded Ekkarin Pisuth-arnonth both progressed safely, with the former beating Jirawat Rakkarnpaed 7-5 6-1 and the latter defeating Weekij Sinthu-urai 6-0 6-1. On the women's side, the top three seeds - Nudnida Luangnam, Thassha Vittayaviroj and Pichittra Thongdach - all made it to the final four. The other spot was booked by unfancied Daowadueng Pholgun. In Florida, Montinee Tangphong was outperformed by 2002 French Open semi-finalist Clarisa Fernandez of Argentina 3-6 5-7 in the second round of the US$25,000 Sheriff Jim Coats Clearwater Tennis on Thursday. Meanwhile in Benin City, Nigeria, the run of 16-year-old Nungnadda Wannasuk was snapped by second-seed Davinia Lobbinger of Belgium 1-6 4-6 in the second round of the US$10,000 Guiness Ogbe Hardcourt Tennis tournament. Lerpong Amsa-ngiamThe Nation
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