Elsewhere, in Tsukuba, Japan SEA Games gold medallist Noppawan Lertcheewakarn took two hours and 19 minutes to beat Choi Jihee of South Korea 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 in the opening round of the US$25,000 Sekisho Challenge Open at the Tsukuba Hokubu Koen Tennis Court yesterday.