Aus Open: Former Wimbledon champ, Kvitova exits following Kumkhum show

Zee Media Bureau/Manushree Chaumal

Melbourne: World No.6 Petra Kvitova was sent packing by World No.88 Luksika Kumkhum at the first round of the Australian Open on Monday. The 20-year-old Thai defeated 2011 Wimbledon champion Kvitova 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 at the Margaret Court Arena in what can be called a solid opener to the first grand slam of the year. Serving 4-3 in the third set to stay in the match, a mistimed double fault from the Czech gave Luksika a chance to seal the match but she couldn`t. In the next Kvitova serve, she got two match points and sealed the match in the first instance itself. Citing this as one of her best tennis moments - the teenager clearly in a joyous mood, thanked the crowd that witnessed a breath-taking 123 minutes match, in a typical Thai fashion of bowing down. Kumkhum, coached by her father Lersak Kumkhum, qualified for the second round of the Australian Open in 2013 as well, but this win over World Number 6 would be one of her best ones. Kumkhum idolises former multiple Major winner, Monica Seles and the beacon of the Thai tennis, Tamarine Tanasugarn. Not to mention, she aspires to win ATP titles and Grand Slam titles. She next plays German Mona Barthel, who defeated Zhang Shuai of China in her first round match. What a way to announce your entry on tennis circuit. Way to go girl!