Sonchat, Sanchai eye greater glory

Sonchat and Sanchai, who lifted up their second ATP title on Sunday in India, hope to add a Grand Slam memorabilia to their cabinet which also holds the 2007 Thailand Open crown.

"Now that we've two ATP wins, our next dream is to win a Grand Slam,'' said Sanchai who shares the 56th position on the ATP doubles rankings along with his brother.

The chance to make their dream a reality is less than a week away with the year's first major set to start on Monday. The astonishing triumph over former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis from Cyprus and Marc Gicquel of France in the Chennai Open final has served up an inspiration in their quest for Melbourne glory.

"Winning the title in the first tournament of the year is such a great way to begin the season. We are going to Melbourne with confidence,'' said Sonchat, winner of 12 Challenger titles.

"If we can maintain this level, we could beat any team,'' Sanchai said. He and Sonchat have played two Grand Slams, the 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon. Yet their only concern is a sprained ankle injury which Sonchat sustained during the quarter-final in Chennai. The elder brother had to play with a wrapped foot that hampered his movements.

The twins have also started thinking of playing the mixed doubles in Grand Slams.

"We are going to look for partners in mixed doubles for Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Tammy [Tamarine Tanasugarn] is one we would like to play with as we are Thais,'' said Sanchai, who won the SEA Games mixed doubles title with Napaporn Tongsalee last December.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation