Thai spikers bow out in Phuket

It was a disappointing day for the host country yesterday with all Thai players crashing out in the season-ender for the FIVB Swatch World Tour. Earlier, ninth seeds Kamoltip Kulna and Varapatsorn Radarong hit back after losing the first set 21-15 against 10th seeds Jarunee Sannok and Usa Tenpaksee to win the remaining two sets 21-16 15-13 and clinch victory in the all-Thai encounter.

Asian Beach Games winners Jarunee and Usa took away US$2,800 (around Bt84,000) for their joint 17th position.

Later in the afternoon, Kamoltip-Varapatsorn went up against Canadians Heather Bansley and Elizabeth Maloney, but the visitors out-muscled their hosts 21-12 21-13. Kamoltip-Varapatsorn claimed US$4,250 (Bt127,500) for their joint-13th finish.

Meanwhile, top seeds Chen and Zhang, Asian Games champions and World Championship bronze medallists, maintained their aura of invincibility in the six-day meet. After thrashing Thailand’s Tanarattha Udomchawee-Rampaipruet Numwong and Germans Jana Kohler-Julia Sude in straight sets in the first two rounds, the formidable Chinese yesterday brushed off Australians Natalie Cook and Tamsin Hinchley 21-19 21-15.

In the fourth round yesterday, the 191cm Chen, 22, used her height advantage to attack and block for a hard-fought 22-20 21-16 win over Belgians Katrien Gielen and Liesbeth Mouha for a semi-final berth.

Second seeds Kessy and Ross came through tougher tasks. The Americans struggled past Czechs Kristyna Kolocova and Slukova Marketa 2-1 (11-21 21-11 15-9) in the third round, then overcame Aussies Louise Bawden and Bechara Palmer 21-19 18-21 15-11.