Thai twins into Hua Hin semis
Sonchat Ratiwatana and Sanchai Ratiwatana remained the only local hopes in the US$150,000 EA Hua Hin Open Challenger after they moved past Peter Polansky of Canada and Rubin Statham of New Zealand following a 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the quarter-finals at True Arena on Thursday.
Aiming to win their second home title after celebrating the Bangkok Challenger in January, the twins will play top seeds Alex Bolt and Bradley Mousley of Australia in the semi-finals tomorrow.
But for wildcard holders Patcharapol Kawin and Jirat Navasirisomboon, their journey ended when they were defeated by fourth seeded Austin Krajicek and Jackson Withrow of the US 6-2 3-6 7-10.
In the singles second actions, top seed Matthew Ebden of Australia improved his winning streaks to eight matches in two weeks as he trounced former top 40 player Marinko Matosevic, also from Australia, 6-3 6-2.
He will take on Go Soeda of Japan who needed three sets to beat Krajicek 4-6 6-1 6-2. Fourth seed Ito Tatsuma of Japan beat Aussie Maverick Banes 6-1 7-6 (7-2) to set up a clash with South Korean rising star Soonwoo Kwon.
Russian Alexey Vatutin beat 2015 finalist Stephane Robert of France 6-2 6-3 and will take on John Millman of Australia today.
