The Independent Posted : October 3, 2005
By Mark Maynard

The 25-year-old Thailand native finished off a career-changing week with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Kristina Brandi in the championship of the $50,000 Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Tennis Classic on Sunday at the Ashland Tennis Center.

Tongsalee came into the tournament a virtual unknown who was ranked No. 333 in the world. She left town with a check for $7,315 after winning her first singles title in a $50,000 event.

On the way to the finals, she also defeated Lilia Osterloh (No. 175), teen phenom Alexa Glatch (No. 238), top-seeded Amy Frazier (No. 77) and the second-seeded Brandi (No. 103).

Not a bad week's work.

"I'm surprised a little bit but I believe in myself," said Tongsalee, whose No. 333 ranking will soon be in her rear-view mirror. "I try to do my best."

Tongsalee and Brandi, both baseline players, waged a classic three-set championship match on a blistering hot and sunny day. Points were long and difficult to get for both players in a match that lasted two hours and 14 minutes.

In the end, Tongsalee's overall play was much more consistent than Brandi, who appeared to be a big favorite going into the finals.

"It was tough," Brandi said. "She played well but I'm a little disappointed in myself today. I could have done better. But she fought and played well."

Brandi had an uncharateristic14 unforced errors in the first set loss that had her fighting from behind all day. While she won the second set 6-2, the points were long and heat seemed to wear her down a little more.

Even though she didn't have to do it, the chair umpire gave the players a 10-minute break between the second and third sets because of the heat. It didn't seem to help Brandi.

"I felt real shaky at the beginning of that third set," she said. "My energy level was dropping. I couldn't eat so much. I got a Coke and usually that helps but it didn't so much today."

Tongsalee broke Brandi in the first game of the third set and then held serve to go ahead 2-0. Brandi fought back from behind again, tying it 2-2 before having her serve broken again.

Another break of Tongsalee's serve made it 3-3 but Brandi felled to hold in the critical seventh game.

Tongsalee never took anything for granted. She led 5-3 and Brandi fought back to 5-4 before Tongsalee served out for the victory in front of an appreciative crowd.

"Each match this week made me more confident," Tongsalee said. "I beat some good players this week. I feel very fortunate to have won here."

Tongsalee said the temperature, which reached into the high 80s, didn't bother her. "I get used to it," she said. "I'm from Thailand."

Brandi couldn't pinpoint why she didn't play better.

"I've played a lot of players," she said. "I should be able to adapt. I felt like I had a good week though. I fought today and I was proud of myself for that. I just need to sharpen up a little bit."