Thai shuttler Sitthikom out to restore pride

Ranked No 2 junior in the world, the teenager sustained a lower back injury during the mixed team event against Canada last week and missed the chance to help his struggling team-mates in the rest of the competition.

After a first-round bye, the local hope will take on South African Michael Jennings at 2pm today, attempting to boost Thai pride damaged by a below-par sixth-place finish in the mixed team competition here.

“I’m disappointed that I was unable to help the team last week. I had to sit out and get some rest. Now I’m feeling a lot better and really looking forward to my match,” said the 18-year-old, who is expected to cruise past the South African.

Pannawit Thongnuam, who replaced Sitthikom in the team event last week, goes up against Kin Hei Tai of Macau in a second-round match at the same time.

World junior No 1 Busanan Ongbumrungpan will kick off her campaign against American Anna Tang in the women’s singles second round at 4.45pm.

Meanwhile Thai youngsters enjoyed success in the first round of individual competition yesterday. Junior world No 1 doubles player Narissapat Lam paired up with Kittiphon Chairojkanjana to beat Gor Hakobyan and Lilit Minasyan of Armenia 21-8 21-10 in the mixed doubles.

Supanida Katethong beat Linnea Vainula of Finland 21-11 21-9 to set up an all Thai women’s singles second-round match today against Thamolwan Poodpradubsil, who pipped Hong Kong’s Tsz Yau Ng 21-15 20-22 21-15. In the men’s doubles, Takdanai Boonrawd and Kilasu Ostermeyer beat Anthony Joe and Joy Lai of Australia 21-12 21-9. Kantaphon Wangcharoen trounced Arto Lahtinen of Finland 21-12 21-14 in the men’s singles event.

 

Porntip misses glorious chance

Elsewhere, in Paris, Porntip Burananprasertsuk missed another chance to capture her first title of the year when she lost to China’s Shixian Wang 21-18 21-18 in the French Open women’s singles final on Sunday.