Thailand's top player Luksika Kumkhum will meet China's Zhang Shuai in the first round of the Toyoto Thailand Open in Hua Hin today.
The US$250,000 WAT event is being held at True Arena Hua Hin.
Luksika, who dropped to No.83 from No.67 in the latest world rankings published yesterday, said it would be a tough match against the world No.40 who won the women's doubles title at the Australian Open last week.
"It will be a difficult match for me because she has just won the women's doubles title at the Australian Open,'' said the Thai.
"I will try to attack her and limit my unforced errors. I have to be patient. The first match is always difficult and I hope I can get past the first hurdle."
Meanwhile, Zhang yesterday planted trees at Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park.
"I am very happy to participate in this activity. Next year I will come back to see how much these trees have grown," the Chinese said.
Also today, former world No.1 and top seed Garbine Muguruza of Spain faces former world No.12 Sabine Lisicki of Germany, whose ranking has plummeted to 197.
Second seed Caroline Garcia of France takes on Jennifer Brady of the US.
Osaka leaps to No.1
Naomi Osaka, winner of the Australian Open, has jumped to the top of women's tennis with her beaten opponent Petra Kvitova rising to second in yesterday's WTA rankings.
Osaka climbed three places after beating the Czech in Melbourne on Saturday. Kvitova moved up four places.
The 21-year-old Japanese player has only won three career titles, but those include the last two majors, after she won the US Open in September.
Romanian former No.1 Simona Halep, knocked out by Serena Williams in the round of 16 in Melbourne, fell two spots to third.
Williams, who fell to 491 after her maternity break last year, continued her rise, gaining five places to 11th.
On the men's side, Novak Djokovic strengthened his grip at the top of the ATP rankings following his destruction of Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final. Nadal held on to second spot while Roger Federer slipped from third to six place.
