Teenager Benyapa Aimsaard proved again she could be a future star when she sealed a "massive" win over Russia's Evgeniya Kosetskaya 21-15, 17-21, 21-19 in the first round of the US$1 million Toyota Thailand Open on Wednesday.
World No.129 Benyapa defeated Kosetskaya, who is ranked 104 places above the Thai at No.25, in 52 minutes at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.
"Before the match, I was a bit excited and worried. I did not plan anything. I wanted to play the game on impulse in front of me because she has a far higher ranking than me. After I got into the game, I could manage it better and conquer it. I felt more relaxed in my own game," said Benyapa.
"When I got the lead in the last game, she was pushing the game hard in an aggressive style and [suddenly] the scores were level. I was a bit shaky, but I tried to control myself. I am so glad I could make it at the end. It really boosts my confidence. This is massive for me."
Women's doubles duo Rawinda Prajongjai, left, and Jongkolphan Kititharakul.
In the second round, the 18-year-old will face compatriot Pornpawee Chochuwong, who breezed past Egypt's Hadia Hosny 21-6, 21-7 in just 19 minutes.
The Toyota Thailand Open is the second of three tournaments in the Asian leg in Bangkok after last week's Yonex Thailand Open.
The 2020 season will conclude at next week's $1.5 million HSBC BWF World Tour Finals.
The Asian leg is being held at Muang Thong's Impact Arena without spectators and under strict Covid-19 protocols.
Last week, Benyapa gave top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying a scare before losing 21-18, 26-24 to the Taiwanese in the first round.
She is in the Asian leg only because compatriot Nitchaon Jindapol pulled out due to injury.
Denmark's Viktor Axelsen is seeking back-to-back titles.
In Wednesday's other women's singles first round action, Olympic champion Carolina Marin defeated Qi Xuefei of France 21-9, 21-18.
"I wanted to start with the same determination I had last week," said the Spaniard, who is chasing back-to-back titles.
Seventh seed An Se-Young of South Korea defeated Thailand's Phittayaporn Chaiwan 21-12, 21-8.
"As the tournament starts again, the first match is usually one of the hardest. I reduced my mistakes and I had confidence in this match while attacking, so I think I did well today," said the 18-year-old, who stunned Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon in the quarter-finals last week.
In the women's doubles first round, seventh seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai of Thailand, who finished second last week, cruised past Indonesia's Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Ribka Sugiarto 21-11, 21-10.
In the men's singles first round, last week's champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark needed only 29 minutes to book a place in the second round with a 21-9-21-8 win over Canada's Jason Anthony Ho-Shue.
Second seed Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan comfortably defeated Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-16, 21-4.
"I think I am more relaxed than last week. I feel I am more in control of how I want to play and I feel that is working. I felt less nervous. I came mentally prepared today," said Chou, who reached the semi-finals last week.
Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn came from behind to beat Singapore's Loh Kean Yew 14-21, 21-16, 21-10.
Indonesia's sixth seed Jonatan Christie was knocked out of the tournament in a mesmerising high-intensity upset by India's HS Prannoy who rallied to win 18-21, 21-16, 23-21.
In the final game, Christie gave away two match points and right at the tail end Prannoy dislocated his left shoulder and needed medical attention but within minutes he marched back on court to win the game 23-21.
"I'm proud of my win today. I haven't practised the last few days and my rib was hurting. Probably there's a muscle inflammation because I was coughing a lot when I had Covid," said Prannoy.
"Today I just wanted to stay in there as there were no expectations. I had a fall when he had match point and hurt my left shoulder. I felt it was dislocated but it went back into place. Right now it's ok but it might start hurting again after a while."
The Asian leg is missing Japanese and Chinese players due to coronavirus-related issues.
Praneeth tests positive
India's world No.13 Sai Praneeth has tested positive for Covid-19, the Badminton World Federation said on Tuesday.
Praneeth has been forced to withdraw from this week's event, after his nasal swab taken on Monday came back positive. "The player ... is required to stay in hospital for a minimum of 10 days," it said.