Hungry Busanan eyes semi-final

Rising young star Busanan Ongbumrungpan won an all-Thai affair against last year’s semi-finalist Porntip Buranaprasertsuk to book a date with old foe and eighth seed Juan Gu of Singapore in today’s women’s semi-finals at the SCG Thailand Open.

Having lost both of her previous matches to the world No 13, the 12th-grader from Suankularb Nonthaburi School delivered a wide repertoire of shots to upset the third seed 14-21 21-17 21-17 in one hour in front of several hundred local fans at the Nimibutr National Stadium.

“I came onto court knowing that she has good attacking game. So my plan was to play defensive and go for my shots when opportunities arrived,” said Busanan, 

looking for her second Grand Prix Gold win after the Malaysian Open last year.

Busanan will next seek a revenge against world No 23 Gu, who upset world No 2 and defending champion Saina Nehwal of India 13-21 21-12 21-18. Busanan went down to the Singaporean in straight games during the Malaysian Open semis two weeks ago.

“The last time I played her I had a right-thigh injury, but now I’m healthy and confident about my chances,” said Busanan, who reached has reached her first Thailand Open semi-final after three attempts.

Fifth seed Sapsiree Taerattanachai squandered an 18-15 final game lead before going down to Taiwanese fourth-seeded Pai Hsiao Ma of Taiwan 21-16 5-21 19-21 in the women’s singles quarter-finals. World No 19 Pai now has a 2-1 head-to-head lead over the Chulalongkorn University senior and will take on either second seed Ratchanok Intanon or Nichaon Jindapon in today’s semi-final.

“When I was leading, I was too relaxed and gave her easy points. I didn’t have enough gas in the end and I paid the price,” said Sapsiree who fell at the same stage last year to Nehwal.

In the men’s singles quarter-final, hotshot Sitthikorn Thammasin survived several match points in the third round against Indonesian Andre Kurniawan Tedjono before outlasting the 16th seed 20-22 21-10 24-22 to maintain his giant-killing form.

“I was more relaxed today. The match against the Indonesian player on Thursday was tougher. I expect to reach the final and play my Idol Boonsak on Sunday,” said Sitthikorn.

In the women’s doubles quarter finals, top seed Duanganong Arronkesorn and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul were stunned by Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii of Indonesia 17-21 13-21.

In Thursday’s night session, top seed Boonsak Ponsana had no problem tackling Malaysian Teck Zhi 

Soo 21-10 21-7 in the men’s singles third round while Ratchanok Intanon needed three sets to beat Singapore’s Aiying Xing 21-7 13-21 21-12. Men’s doubles’ sixth seed Maneepong Jonjjit and Nipitphon Puangpuapech downed Japan’s Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda 21-16 23-21.