Top seeds claim ICTSI finals slots

MANILA, Philippines—The top seeds lived up to their lofty billings as No. 1 Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand and second pick Zhao Yijing of China breezed through their semifinals matches Saturday and set the stage for a final duel in the ICTSI/ITF Women’s Circuit Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Kumkhum, whose title aspirations crumbled in last week’s first phase after bowing out in the semifinals, booked a finals ticket at the expense of Japanese 7th seed Yurina Koshino, 6-3, 6-0.

Later, Zhao, aching to make up for her disappointing first week when she dropped in the first round, advanced with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of compatriot Guo Lu.

They collide for the title at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Kumkhum is hoping to clinch the twin title for Thailand after countryman Peantarn Plipuech won it last week, beating China’s Lu Jiaxiang.

The Thais secured the doubles title in an all-Thai finals as third seeds Napatsakorn Sankaew and Varunya Wongteanchai pulled off a 6-3, 3-6, (10-6) upset of top seeds and last week’s champions Kumkhum and Plipuech.