Lin Zhu claimed her first WTA title at the Thailand Open on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Lesia Tsurenko in the final. The Chinese needed one hour and 45 minutes to close out the victory. The match had several swings, but Zhu controlled her nerves better than Tsurenko to get to the end.
She won 52% of her first serve points to the Ukrainian’s 38%. Both struggled to get it right on her second serve with Tsurenko winning 40% of her second serve points to Zhu’s 34%.
Thailand Open: Lin Zhu survives Lesia Tsurenko test
In terms of break points, both players combined for a total of 23 break points, with Tsurenko facing nine and Zhu facing 14.
Tsurenko was able to save just one of these break points, while Zhu saved eight. In the second set, Zhu lost serve while serving for the match in the ninth game. But he clinched the title after breaking Tsurenko in the next game when the latter tried to extend the match.
Speaking after the win, Zhu said: “I am very happy to win my first title here in Hua Hin. Lesia is a fighter, she never gives up, so she needed to give 100% and be more patient, especially towards the end.
I (felt) a little nervous, but I know it’s normal, so I had to manage that, I had to attack when I had the chance, because she wasn’t going to give me this match. I’m super happy I did it.»
After the Australian Open, Zhu came closest to breaking into the top 50 of the WTA singles rankings as world number one. 54. Now, after the victory at the Thailand Open, Lin Zhu is about to enter the top 40 of the WTA rankings with a new personal record as world number one. 41.
