Pimplapa and Yataawi Win Tight Matches to Advance to Main Draw at ITF Thailand Tournament
Thai players Pimplapa Lim and Yataawi Chim advanced to the main draw of an ITF tennis tournament in Nakhon Pathom after winning tight qualifying matches on May 4, with Pimplapa overcoming China's top seed in a super tiebreak.
The ITF Men's World Tennis Tour M25 event offering $30,000 USD in prize money (approximately 974,700 baht) and the ITF Women's World Tennis Tour W15 event offering $15,000 USD in prize money (approximately 487,350 baht) concluded their final qualifying rounds on May 4, 2025 at Kasetsart University's Kamphaeng Saen campus in Nakhon Pathom.
Two Thai female players performed exceptionally well in the women's singles final qualifying round. Pimplapa Lim, a Thai-Singaporean player ranked 304 in ITF rankings, lost the first set to China's Sun Yu, the top seed. However, Lim fought back strongly in subsequent sets, eventually forcing a decisive super tiebreak where she dominated to claim victory with a 2-1 set triumph (2-6, 7-5, 10-4 in the super tiebreak), securing her main draw berth. In the first round, Pimplapa will face China's Zhang Junhan, the 5th seed.
Yataawi Chim, ranked 1358 in ITF rankings and the 16th seed, also advanced through three sets against Hong Kong's Cheng Kaiyao (3rd seed, ITF ranking 364). Using sharp technical play, Yataawi won 2-1 in sets with a score of 6-4, 1-6, 10-8 in the super tiebreak, earning her main draw spot as well. In her first round, she will face South Korea's Lee Eun-ji.
In the men's singles final qualifying round, Thailand's Thanathep Suksamran, seeded 6th, defeated South Korea's Sim Sang-been (10th seed) to advance directly to the main draw. Meanwhile, Kunanun Panthradhon (16th seed) lost to India's Dev Javia (4th seed) 0-2 in sets with a score of 1-6, 0-6. Additionally, Chirat Nawasirisobun (14th seed) lost to South Korea's Cho Song-woo (8th seed) 2-6, 0-2 Ret. (due to breathing difficulties).