Ratchanok, Kunlavut in KL last 16
text size

Ratchanok, Kunlavut in KL last 16

Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Ratchanok Intanon moved into the last 16 round of the of the season-opening Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Men's singles world champion Kunlavut survived a tough test against Kenta Nishimoto, overcoming the Japanese star in three games 21-14, 21-23, 21-15 in an hour and 42 minutes.

Fifth seed Kunlavut will play Taiwan's Lin Chun-yi for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Tour Super 1000 event, which offers a total prize money of US$1.3 million (approx 44.2 million baht).

Lin knocked out another Thai hope Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-17, 21-13 on Wednesday.

Women's singles hope Ratchanok, who is back in action after a long injury lay-off, defeated Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar 21-9, 21-10.

Compatriot Busanan Ongbamrungphan also advanced to the last 16, beating China's Gao Fang Jie 17-21, 22-20, 21-10.

Ratchanok will play second seed Chen Yufei of China while Busanan will meet fourth seed Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan in the last 16 on Thursday.

Chen, the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist, defeated Japan's Aya Ohori 21-18, 21-12 while Tai edged Zhang Beiwen of the US 23-21, 21-19.

Another Thai player Pornpicha Choeikeewong bowed out after losing to China's Wang Zhiyi 14-21, 14-21 in the first round on Wednesday.

Earlier, men's doubles pair Supak Jomkoh and Kittinupong Kedren crashed out after losing to Goh Sze Fei and Izzuddin Nur of Malaysia 17-21, 20-22.

Women's doubles pair Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai were due to play Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu of Australia in a late match last night.

Thailand Masters draw

Kunlavut has been drawn to face Dutchman Mark Caljouw in the first round of the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2024 later this month.

Kantaphon Wangcharoen, another Thai in the men's singles draw, will play Ygor Coelho of Brazil in the first round.

In the women's singles event, Ratchanok Intanon will meet Aakarshi Kashyap of India while Pornpawee Chochuwong will face Pai Yu-po of Taiwan in their opening matches.

The World Tour Super 300 event will take place between Jan 30-Feb 4 at Nimibutr Stadium.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT