The picturesque beach town of Hua Hin became the epicenter of tennis excitement as it hosted the Allied Thailand Open 2024 presented by Cal-Comp. From September 16th to 22nd, the tournament served up a tantalizing blend of seasoned pros and rising stars, all battling it out under the sweltering Thai humidity. As the week progressed, the action on the court intensified, leading to a finale that crowned new champions in both singles and doubles.
The tournament kicked off with a bang as World No. 37 Katerina Siniakova made her Thailand Open debut, overcoming both her opponent and the stifling humidity to secure a hard-fought victory. However, it was Thai No. 1 Lanlana Tararudee who truly ignited the home crowd’s passion, powering through her first-ever WTA main draw win with a dominant performance against compatriot Thasaporn Naklo.
As the mercury rose, so did the level of play. Day 2 brought the first major upset of the tournament, with Japan’s Mai Hontama, ranked 130th in the world, stunning top-seed and 2019 champion Dayana Yastremska in a nail-biting two-set thriller. The upset sent ripples through the draw, opening up opportunities for other players to make their mark.
As if day two wasn’t exciting enough, day three said “Hold my Chang beer.” Laura Siegemund and China’s Xiyu Wang treated spectators to a four-hour and nine-minute slugfest, the fourth-longest match in Open Era history. Siegemund eventually emerged victorious at 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(1), probably feeling like she’d run a marathon in the process. This epic battle became the longest match of the 2024 season, proving that these ladies don’t just hit balls – they make history.
As the tournament progressed to the quarter-finals, the upsets continued. World No. 74 Nadia Podoroska outmaneuvered second seed Katerina Siniakova with a masterclass in tactical play, while qualifier Arianne Hartono continued her fairytale run, stunning the in-form Mai Hontama to reach the semi-finals.
The semi-finals brought their own brand of drama. Sramkova defeated Tamara Zidansek 6-4 6-2 in 1 hour and 24 minutes to book her place in her second straight WTA 250 final following last week’s run in Monastir, Tunisia.
“Yesterday I was exhausted but today I felt much better”, Sramkova said. “She was also tired, that’s why I stayed a little more focused and I’m happy that I won.”
“I think today Tamara made a lot of mistakes in the second set. I saw that she was struggling, so I was just trying to keep the ball in, sometimes just push it. It was windy so it was harder to move, too.” World No. 102 and Hua Hin debutante Sramkova is unbeaten in WTA semi-finals and will be playing for her first WTA title on Sunday.
Thirty-seven-year-old Laura Siegemund, who has been ranked inside the world’s top 30, defeated Arianne Hartono 6-3 6-3 on Saturday evening in front of an engaged Hua Hin crowd. Siegemund is now into her fifth career WTA final and her first since Warsaw in 2023. “It wasn’t as hot, humidity was high but there was a breeze going so that was one of the less physically demanding matches”, said Siegemund. “She plays very aggressive and has had a great tournament, she beat a lot of good people and she just went for her shots. “I think I managed to stay neutral well and keep my position and make her play that extra shot and then she missed a couple.”
Saturday’s Doubles Play saw Eudice Chong and Moyuka Uchijima knock-out Belgian duo Lara Salden and Kimberley Zimmermann 7-5 6-4 before Anna Danilina and Irina Khromacheva defeated British pair Alicia Barnett and Madeleine Brooks 6-2 6-3.
With an overcast sky for the finals on Sunday, the stage was set for a clash of styles and generations. In a display of aggressive tennis that left spectators breathless, 27-year-old Rebecca Sramkova claimed her maiden WTA title, overpowering the experienced Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-4. Sramkova’s victory was the culmination of a dream fortnight that saw her reach back-to-back finals and catapult into the top 70 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career, you could almost hear the champagne corks popping all the way back in Slovakia.
“I still can’t believe it,” an elated Sramkova exclaimed after the match. “To win my first WTA title here in beautiful Hua Hin, it’s like a dream come true. The support from the crowd all week has been incredible.”
The doubles final provided its own share of excitement, with top seeds Anna Danilina and Irina Khromacheva emerging victorious in a closely contested match against Eudice Chong and Moyuka Uchijima. The 6-4 7-5 scoreline belied the tension on court, as all four players showcased the very best of doubles tennis.
Beyond the results, the Allied Thailand Open 2024 was a testament to the global appeal of tennis. Players from across the world converged on Hua Hin, bringing with them diverse playing styles and personal stories that captivated local fans and international spectators alike.
The tournament also highlighted the growing strength of Asian tennis, with several players from the region making deep runs in both singles and doubles draws. This bodes well for the future of the sport in Asia and cements Thailand’s place as a key stop on the international tennis calendar.
As the last ball was struck and the trophies were lifted, the Allied Thailand Open 2024 left an indelible mark on all who participated and watched. It was a week that showcased not just great tennis, but the indomitable spirit of athletes pushing themselves to the limit under challenging conditions.
For Rebecca Sramkova, the newly crowned champion, this tournament marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter in her career. For Hua Hin and Thailand, it reaffirms its status as a world-class host of international sporting events.
Photos courtesy of the WTA & Patrick Jacobs