Tanongsak, Nichaon reach semi-finals

Tanongsak, Nichaon reach semi-finals

Busanan stages spectacular comeback to progress in Thailand Open women's singles

Thailand's Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in action in the quarter-finals yesterday.
Thailand's Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in action in the quarter-finals yesterday.

Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and Nichaon Jindapol cruised into the semi-finals of the Thailand Open badminton tournament yesterday.

Phuket-born Nichaon took 38 minutes to beat Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia in straight sets (21-12, 21-15) in the women's singles quarter-finals at Bangkok's Nimibutr Stadium.

For a place in the final, the world No.18 Thai today faces Aya Ohori of Japan, who triumphed over Jing Yi Tee of Malaysia 21-13, 21-6.

It is a much improved show by Nichaon, who crashed out in the first round here last year. In their only past meeting, Ohori beat Nichaon in straight sets in 2013.

An all-Thai final is being expected after third seed Busanan Ongbamrungphan came from behind to beat Xiaoyu Liang of Singapore 2-1 (20-22, 21-13, 21-12) yesterday to march into the other women's singles semi-final.

Busanan, seeking her second title of the year after wining the Indonesian Masters, today takes on Malaysia's Jin Wei Goh, who beat compatriot Yen Hei Ho 21-17, 21-13 yesterday.

In the men's singles, fifth seed Tanongsak ended Suppanyu Avihingsanon's impressive run with a 21-8, 21-18 win in the quarter-finals.

World No.26 Tanongsak also extended his winning record over Suppanyu to three in as many meetings.

Tanongsak faces eighth seed Kenta Nishimoto in today's semi-finals after the Japanese got the better of third seed Hsu Jen Hao of Taiwan 21-16, 21-11.

Second seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia, who was eliminated in the quarter-finals last year, earned his place in the semi-finals at the expense of Hsueh Hsuan Yi of Taiwan. He next plays Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong or Daren Liew of Malaysia.

Former Thailand Open champion Boonsak Ponsana, Pannawit Thongnuam and Kantaphon Wangcharoen all crashed out in the third round.

In the men's doubles, no Thais were left in the tournament after Bodin Isara and Nipitphon Phuangphuapet suffered a shock defeat.

The third-seeded pair lost to Khim Wah Lim and Jian Guo Ong of Malaysia 21-15, 17-21, 21-14.

The Malaysians meet Berry Angriawan and Rian Agung Saputro, the second seeds from Indonesia, in the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final, Takuto Inoue and Yuki Kaneko of Japan take on Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia.

The local fans can also hope for an all-Thai final in the women's doubles.

Top seeds Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, who yesterday defeated Malaysia's Mei Kuan Chow and Meng Yean Lee, face Japan's Miki Kashihara and Miyuki Kato in the semi-finals.

Compatriots Jongkolphan Kittharakul and Rawinda Prajongja also fight for a place in the final today.

They will take on fifth seeds Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan.

Matsumoto and Nagahara saw off third-seeded duo of Chayanit Chaladchalam and Phataimas Muenwong of Thailand in the quarter-finals.

In the mixed doubles, second seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were due to play compatriots Nipitphon Phuangphuapet and Jongkokphan Kititharakul last night for a place in the semi-finals.

Supak Jomkoh and Puttita Supajirakul were to meet Tam Chun Hei and Ng Tsz Yau of Hong Kong in another quarter-final last night.

The Thais expect to see their players win the titles on the final day tomorrow.

They were left disappointed last year when only Ratchanok Intanon was unable to make it to the semi-finals.

The winners in the men's and women's singles events will receive US$9,000 each, while the winners in the doubles events will earn $9,480 per pair.

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