Doubles pair provide rare cheer in China
The Kingdom’s top women’s doubles pair, Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, kept alive Thai hopes at badminton’s Asia Championships in Wuhan, China, as their compatriots made early exits on Wednesday.
The world No 10-ranked Jongkolphan and Rawinda toppled Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvusha Ram of India 21-13 21-16 on a day when many Thai players did not survive the opening round.
With Ratchanok Intanon opting to miss the event to focus on next month’s Sudirman Cup and Thai No 2 Pornpawee Chochuwong also absent, Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Nitchaon Jindapol were the only hopes in women’s singles but both made first-round exits – Busanan lost 21-15 21-13 to Yeo Jia Min of Singapore and Nitchaon was then eleminated 21-16 21-12 by He Bingjiao of China.
It means Nitchaon has crashed out in the first round in her last four tournaments.
It was almost a similar sad tale for Thailand in the men’s draw – Kantaphon Wangcharoen lost to third-seeded Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan 23-21 17-21 21-16, Khosit Phetpradab was downed 21-15 21-15 by Lu Guangzhu of China and Thai No 3 Suppanyu Avihingsanon was defeated 14-21 21-13 21-15by Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia. However later in the day, Sitthikom Thammasin helped save the Thai men's pride after he beat Cheam June Wei of Malaysia 14-21 21-19 21-16.
Apart from the women’s doubles team and Sitthikom – the mixed doubles team of Dechapol Puavaranurkoh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai also made it through their opening match on Tuesday.
