Unseeded Zhu cruises to victory in Hua Hin decider

China’s Zhu Lin defeated Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in straight sets to win the US$250,000 Thailand Open at True Arena Hua Hin Sports Club yesterday.

In a battle between two unseeded players in the final, Zhu came out on top, winning 6-4, 6-4 in nearly two hours.

Zhu broke Tsurenko twice in the first set and did so again three times in the second to claim the Hua Hin singles crown.

Zhu upset seventh-seeded compatriot Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Tsurenko reached the final after top seed Bianca Andreescu of Canada pulled out due to right shoulder injury while trailing 0-4 in the second set.

The Ukrainian won the first set 7-5.

In the doubles event,…