Dubai: Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, the winner of the 14th Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge at the weekend, could not contain her joy at bagging the biggest title of her fledgling career with a straight-sets win against friend Kristina Mladenovic.
"By far this is my greatest achievement in tennis," Lertcheewakarn gushed after she had clawed her way back from 1-4 down in the second set to win 7-5, 6-4 against French player Mladenovic.
"I have had my moments of glory, but this one ranks right up there. I will cherish this moment for a long time," added the 20-year-old, who has a current WTA ranking of 156.
The Thai woman, who sees compatriot Tamarine Tanasugarn as her main inspiration, has already achieved a lot in her career as a junior. She was named the world number one on the ITF junior circuit in 2008, thus becoming the first female player from Asia to hold that position.
Lertcheewakarn has played in two junior Grand Slam finals — in 2008 she lost to Brit Laura Robson at Wimbledon and the following year she went one step further when she beat Mladenovic for the crown at the same venue. She has also been consistent in the junior doubles, winning three Grand Slams (2008 US Open, 2009 French Open and 2009 Wimbledon) and making the 2009 US Open final with Elena Bogdan.
"Both of us are no longer juniors now. It is much tougher playing against some of the best players in the world. I have learnt so much being here this week and I am sure I will be in a better position when I start the new season in Australia," she said.
Clearly not overawed, Mladenovic, 18, put her defeat down to the conditions in Dubai. "It was hot and humid out there and she handled it better. It has been a long week, but one where I have learnt quite a lot," she said. "But I have so many positives that I can take from this week. I have beaten three seeded players who are ranked much higher than me.
"I am really pleased with what I have achieved here and I can confidently look forward to the start of the new season. Of course it would have been better if I had won this trophy, but then the better player won."
