Thais take a breather before QF against Japan

Playing in Group 1B, the Thais and the Koreans advanced to the quarter-finals, having both beaten Hong Kong in the group stage. 

In the clash on Tuesday to determine the group winners, Thailand lost their first rubber in the mixed doubles when world No 6 duo Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam was sent packing by world No 69 and this year’s Asian champions Ko Sung Hyun/Kim Ha Na, 21-9 21-10.

The men’s singles and the doubles were also dominated by the Koreans, with young talent Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk going down to world No 63 Lee Dong-keun 12-21 21-9 22-20 and Maneepong Jongjit/Nipitphon Puangpuapech beaten 21-10 21-14 by world No 2 Ko Sung-hyun/Lee Yong-dae.

The women’s singles saw Nichaon Jindapon replace the injured world No 5 and India Open champion Ratchanok Inthanon, but she was outclassed by world No 6 Sung Ji-hyun 21-11 21-7.

In the women’s doubles, the Thai pairing of Duanganong Aroonkesorn/Kunchala Voravichitchaikul wre beaten 21-16 17-21 21-11 to world No 11 Jung Kyung-eun/Kim Ha-na. The 5-0 sweep meant South Korea topped Group 1B, with Thailand runners-up.

Meanwhile, the Group 1A match between Asia’s two powerhouses saw Indonesia able to stretch China in the men’s doubles and the women’s singles, but the eight-time champions survived both tests and then shut out their challengers in straight games in the remaining three rubbers. The 5-0 sweep gave China top place in Group 1A, ahead of Indonesia. In other matches, Germany stunned Malaysia 3-2 in Group 1C to eliminate the hosts. Taiwan top the group, with Germany in second spot. Japan emerged as the Group1D winners following a 3-2 win over Denmark.

Tuesday’s draw for the quarter-finals saw China rematched against Indonesia, Germany to play South Korea, Taiwan to challenge Denmark and Thailand matched against Japan. The quarter-final clashes take place today, with the Thailand-Japan encounter from 5pm Bangkok time.