Suchanan gets a win
Thailand's Suchanan Viratprasert sailed through the second round of the US Open qualifying competition by defeating American wild card entrant Mary Gambale 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 in the first round on Tuesday.
In her campaign to earn a spot in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time, Suchanan squandered a 5-3 lead, but woke up in time to land the first set tie-breaker before cruising through the second set after breaking her rival's serve twice. Suchanan will play her second round match tonight and is drawn to meet American Angela Haynes, who needed three sets to upset compatriot and eighth-seed Lilia Osterloh 4-6 6-3 6-2. Seeded ninth in the qualifying round, Thai women's No 1 Tamarine Tanasugarn, whose best run at Flushing Meadows was round four in 2003, was set to play Russian Alisa Kleybanova in the first round last night. On the men's side, Thai No 2 Danai Udomchoke, the 13th-seed who made it through to the main draw in 2004, was set for a tough first round match against the big-serving Jeff Morrison of the US last night.
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