HA NOI (VNS) — Huynh Phuong Dai Trang won the Viet Nam Masters after beating compatriot Tran Thi Tam Hao in the final yesterday at HCM City's Phu Tho Tennis Club.

Trang of HCM City faced little resistance as she beat Hao 6-1, 6-1 in the women's final, which also highlighted Trang's powerful forehands from the base line.

Trang, who is the second seed, won VND35 million (US$1,700), while Hao took home VND20 million ($950). Both of them will represent the country at the Fed Cup Group II, Asia/Oceania Zone, in Kazakhstan in February.

In the men's competition, Nguyen Hoang Thien came from behind to beat Le Quoc Khanh 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 in a semi-final match.

It was the first time that a Viet Nam Masters' semi-final match went to five sets. Earlier, Hanoian Trinh Linh Giang successfully trounced top seed Pham Minh Tuan of Da Nang 6-1, 6-4, 6-0.

For both players, reaching the final today marks a career milestone. Winning the final will be another milestone, since it will be their first triumph at a highly-rated national year-end tournament.

The final will be aired live on HTV The Thao channel at 2pm.

The champion will receive VND50 million ($2,400), while the runner-up earns VND30 million ($1,400).

Both players will be part of the Vietnamese squad at the Davis Cup Group II, Asia/Oceania Zone, which will be held in Viet Nam late next month. — VNS