The Thai teenager, daughter of former SEA Games and Asian Games national player Pimpisamai Kansuthi, dashed the hopes of Briton Holly Fischer 7-5 4-6 6-1 in the girls’ singles opening round on court No 7.

Despite playing in her first ever Major, Mai, who was born in the United States, got the better of her nerves to brush aside cheers from the home fans and settle her score with the rival who beat her in another earlier junior event.

“It’s quite challenging because the crowd was on her side,” said Mai who won a junior Grade 2 tournament in Kolkata, India in January. “Basically I just had my coach, my mother and brother cheering me on.”

Ranked 67th in the world junior rankings, the youngster was forced out of her comfort zone and use slices and drop shots which worked well on the grass court of the All England Club.

“I was really nervous before and during the match. But I’m really glad I pulled through and won,” she added.

Pimpisamai, who quit tennis in her early 20s to further her studies in the US, beamed with pride as she watched her daughter adjust her game.

“She normally prefers to hit groundstrokes,” said Pimpisamai whose younger son Tanapat also plays tennis. “I told her to mix up her shots when playing on grass. It was unbelievable to see her hit those shots which proved really effective out there,” said the ex-tennis player who brought her children back to Thailand three years ago to pursue their tennis goals.