In-form Nichaon in semis
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Thailand's Nichaon Jindapong survived three match points to beat sixth seed Bae Yeon-ju of South Korea and stretch her surprise run in the BCA Indonesian Open badminton yesterday.
Nichaon, who upset third seed Wang Yihan in round two, put up a gutsy performance to win the quarter-final against Bae 17-21 21-14 22-20.
The Thai avenged back-to-back losses to the South Korean, in the Singapore Open and Uber Cup earlier this year. The unfancied Thai player next faces either world No 1 and Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China or India’s Saina Nehwal, with a place in the final at stake.
Compatriot Busanan Ongbumrungpan failed to emulate Nichaon yesterday, losing to world No 2 Wang Shixian of China 19-21 19-21.
Wang will next face either Ratchanok Intanon or Sun Yu of China in the semi-finals.
