Thai challenger Wannasuk upsets top seed Isha Lakhani of India

Pune, Nov 10 (UNI) Sixth seeded Nungnadda Wannasuk of Thailand pulled off a sensational straight set upset victory over top seed Isha Lakhani of India to storm into the finals of the NECC-ITF 10,000 dollar Women's Tennis Tournament at the Deccan Gymkhana courts here today.

She will figure in the ITF final for the first time against the never-say-die Kazakistan fourth seed Amina Rakim, who beat Mumbai stalwart and fifth seed Meghha Vakaria in the tournaments longest drawn singles (2 hours 55 minutes) clash to triumph 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), for an all foreigners final in the tournament.

The Thai star used a combination of down the line cross court play and well directed shots to upset the erratic Indian top seed -- who committed no less than six double faults in the match -- with impunity, breaking Isha's service in the very first, third and seventh games to wrap up the first set in a flash.

By now, the well known mandatory break taken by Isha Lakhani seemed to make her turn the second set in her favour, when she broke through her opponent in the third game and for the first time took the game on serve in the next game. Despite the first time in the match, the game going on deuce, she broke through her opponent's serve in the seventh game to reduce the lead to 3-4.

Nungnadda, sensing her chances for victory, set two sizzling down the line backhand returns on either side of the baseline, to break Isha's serve in the eight game to capture the set and the match 6-1, 6-4.

''My patience and courage helped me pave the way for my victory,'' the elated Thai girl said. She figures in her third ITF women's ranking tournament after her outings in Nigeria and Thailand two months back.

With her powerful serve and volley, Amina patiently wore down Mumbai's Meghha Vakhari to win the marathon battle of nerves in the semi-final round, coming on the heels of her win over her Kirgisthan rival Ksenia Palkina in the quarter finals round yesterday, when she had almost come down from the brink for her victory.

Meghha came from behind and broke Rakim on the verge of clinching the set with five successive points. She captured the first set via the tie beaker 7-6(8-6).

Two excellent lobs sent scurrying over her opponents head helped her gain vital points at a crucial stage in the match. Meghha's efforts to match the visiting baseline player's serve and volley game, however, cost her dearly when she was broken in the 2nd and 8th game by Amina to level up the score.

The sturdy visiting player held on to her nerves and despite being tied on serve up to 5-5, broke Vakaria in the 11th game to force the tie breaker, which she won after she jumped to a flying 4-1 lead for a spot in the final.

Following are the results of singles semi finals: (6) Nungnadda Wannasuk (Thai) beat (1) Isha Lakhani (Ind) 6-1, 6-3; (4) Amina Rakhim (Kaz) beat (5) Meghha Vakaria (Ind) 6-7(6-8), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); Women's Doubles Finals: Isha Lakhani (Ind) Ksenia Palkina (KGZ) beat Madhudra Rangnathan (Ind) Nungnadda Wannasuk (Thai) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

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