HONG KONG, Dec 23: Paradorn Srichaphan became the first Thai player to win the men’s singles title at the Asian Championship when he beat arch rival Lee Hyung-taik of Korea in straight sets to seal a wildcard entry into the Australian Open.

Rising Korean star Cho Yoon-jeong defeated compatriot Jeon Mi-ra in three tough sets to take the women’s single title at the 60,000-dollar Asian Championship and also secured a wildcard into next year’s first Grand Slam.

The match of the tournament pitted the powerful baseline game of Srichaphan against the stylish pre-tournament favourite from Korea, and it was the Thai who emerged victorious in two tight sets 7-6, 6-3.

The Thai number one came out firing, breaking Lee in the first game but a loose forehand enabled the Korean world number 99 to break right back.

The two continued to trade huge groundstokes but it was Srichaphan who finally broke down Lee’s defences with a sizzling backhand pass to lead 6-5, but the never-say-die Korean broke again to send the set into a tiebreak.

A crucial double fault by Lee gave the Thai a vital mini break at 5-3, and after exchanging the next two points, a searing backhand down the line wrapped up the set in style 7-4.

The second set went with serve until a certain Lee backhand winner clipped the top of the net and fell agonisingly wide to give Srichaphan a break point. The Thai star pounced with another uninhibited backhand and served out confidently to take the match and his second title of the year.

In the ladies final, the more experienced Jeon appeared nervous throughout and it was the 22-year-old Cho who exerted her better all-round game to secure her second career title 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.

Jeon made a nervy start against her close friend and hitting partner Cho, making 10 unforced errors on her forehand to drop her serve twice and fall 3-0 behind.

After Jeon battled her way back to 4-4 Cho hit her best two shots of the match, a flailing backhand followed by a blazing forehand down the line, to force a breakpoint. Another forehand error gifted her the decisive break and she held comfortably to take the first set.

Both players settled down to play some constructive tennis from the back of the court in the second set but neither could hold serve, exchanging service breaks in six successive games before Jeon finally gained the upper hand to take a decisive 5-4 advantage and level the match one set all.

Korean number one Cho seemed to get a second wind in the final set and dictated the rallies, mixing up high moon balls with powerful drives, and making more approaches to the net to put away easy volleys.

After Cho won a gruelling 24 stroke rally to secure an early break, Jeon’s resolve appeared to crumble and though she continued to fight for every point, Cho raced away to take the title and the 4,000-dollar first prize cheque.

Cho and Srichaphan’s victory’s secured wildcard entrys into the main draw of the Australian Open, available to the men’s and women’s singles champions.

Results

Women’s singles final: Cho Yoon-jeong (Kor x3) bt Jeon Mi-Ra (Kor x7) 6-4, 3-6, 6-0

Men’s singles final: Paradorn Srichaphan (Tha x2) bt Lee Hyung-taik (Kor x1) 7-6, 6-3.—AFP