Local hopes dented at Thailand Masters
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Local pair Bodin Issara and Savitree Amitrapai had no answer to the compatibility of world No 13 Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh of Malaysia, going down 2118 21 14 in the semifinals of badminton’s Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters World Grand Prix G
The first game saw the Thai pair overhaul a 47 deficit to nudge ahead 87, utilising an attack-minded strategy to keep their Malaysian opponents at bay. But the Malays quickly readjusted, forging ahead 1411 thanks to unforced errors from the Thais.
Bodin and Savitree then fought what proved to be a lastditch battle, levelling the score at 1515, before finally succumbing to superior firepower and unity of purpose. The local pair surrendered the opening set when Savitree buried two successive shots in the net.
The Thai pair fell behind right from start of the second game as their concentration cracked under the ratcheting pressure of the Malaysian pair, who went on to clinch the match with a dominating display.
In the other semifinal, third seed and world No 10 Lee Chun Hei Reginald and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong were upset by Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen of China 1521 1121.
Thailand’s hopes in the women’s singles were dented when Busanan Ongbumrungphan faded against China’s Sun Yu, losing 2116, 2111. Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in the men’s singles and Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles were due on court for their semifinal matches at press time last night.
