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Published on February 4, 2008

The 18-year-old, a protege of former national champion Thanakorn Srichaphan, settled the score with her opponent who beat her in Xiamen last November. "I was playing well today. I learnt from the mistakes. I tried to make her hit running forehands which was not her favourite shot,'' Nungnadda said.

The SEA Games national player is a match away from making her debut on a WTA tour main draw. She will play Xu Yi-fan of China, who beat Montinee Tangphong 6-2 6-1, in the final qualifying round.

Other Thais were beaten in round two. Suchanun Viratprasert, after beating countrywoman Varanya Vijuksanaboon 7-6 (7/1) 6-0 in the first qualifier in the morning, did not have enough left to handle Junri Namigata of Japan, losing 2-6 1-6.

Varatchaya Wongteanchai went down to another Japanese, second-seeded Akiko Yonemura 3-6 2-6.

Zhou Yi-Miao of China downed Shikha Uberoi of India 6-2 6-2. Second-seeded Vesna Manasieva of Russia dropped just two games to beat Hwang I-hsuan of Taiwan 6-0 6-2.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation