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Published on July 27, 2007

The 15-year-old from Chiang Mai, who is yet to drop a set on her way to the semi-final, eliminated Kim 6-3 6-1 in the quarter-finals where two of her compatriots faltered.

Napaporn Tongsalee's comeback effort from a dismal run came to a halt when the Thai handed the match to Chinese Lu Jia-xiang 1-6 6-4 7-5. The top seed's departure meant that Liang Chen remains the only seeded player left in the tournament. The third seed from China

beat Thailand's Varanya Vijuksanaboon 6-3 6-0.

After spending two months on tour in Europe, Noppawan had decided to rest at home and skipped the first two legs of the circuit. With her body and mind fresh, she returned to the circuit brimming with confidence.

"I haven't been playing that great since the first round but it's good enough to get me into the semi-finals. I'm quite confident about my chances here,'' said the teenager, who got a few tips from compatriot Sophia Mulsup about how to tackle Kim.

"She likes to go for the forehand, so I anticipated her shots. But I'm really tired after playing three matches in one day,'' said Noppawan, who reached the doubles final with Napaporn.

The pair beat Chen Yi and Nudnida Luangnam 7-5 3-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals before dismissing Sanaa Bhambri and Isha Lakhani of India 6-1 6-4 in the semi-finals.

Today she will take on surprise semi-finalist Jessy Rompies of Indonesia who upset sixth-seeded Lakhani 6-3 6-3.

"She serves and volleys and likes to come to the net for drop shots. I'll have to hit a lot of passing shots tomorrow,'' said the Thai, who is trained by former national coach Robert Davis.

Waiting for her in the doubles final are Sophia and Varatchaya Wongteanchai, who needed three sets to beat Haruka Fujishiro and Eriko Mizuno of Japan 4-6 6-2

6-1.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation