Ratchanok, Busanan , Tanongsak in Semis

World No 6 Ratchanok, 21, had no problem in defeating countrywoman 

Nichaon Jindapol 21-14 21-14 while the 19th ranked Busanan 

Ongbumrungphan ousted Dinar Dyah Ayustine of Indonesia 21-5 21-

18 in 37 minutes.

 

“Every part of my game was okay today except for the second game. I 

lost my concentration a bit and she seized that opportunity to give me a 

close fight. But she doesn’t compete on the tour much and that took its toll on her at a key stage,” said Busanan, who will line up against fourth seed and world No 11 Sun Yu of China, a 21-15 21-9 winner over Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong.

 

“I beat her in the Indonesian Masters Premier last year. Her attackฌ

ing play is her strength. I have to chase down a lot of shots and keep her out of the comfort zone,” said the 19-year-old Busanan.

 

There was some bad news for Thai badminton yesterday as former mixed doubles world No 1 Saralee Thoungthongkham has decided to 

hang up the racquet after suffering a serious knee injury during her second round match on Wednesday. The 36-year-old and her partner Sudket Prapakamol had to retire from their quarter-final match against Lee Chun Hei Reginald and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong.

 

In other mixed doubles quarter-finals, Bodin Issara and Savitree Amitrapai continued their surprise run, outclassing Irfan Fadhilah and 

Weni Anggraini on Indonesia 21-14 21-19. It was their second win over the rivals whom they beat in the Chinese Taipei Open last year.

“We played aggressive game right from start and never let the oppoฌ

nents gain the momentum. We served better and took solid control at the net while their defence game was not good today,” said the 25-year-old Bodin, one of Thailand’s hopes to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s doubles along with partner Nipitphon Puangpuapech.

 

"We had several chances to gain a lot of points from the last few tourฌ

naments but we just didn’t take it. But there are 10 tournaments to go before the cut-off date and if we make it to the quarter-finals at least in three events, we should be in a good position,” added Bodin, who teamed up with the already retired Maneepong Jongjit in the 2012 London Games.

 

Savitree, an MBA post-graduate student of Chulalongkorn University, 

hopes to stage an upset over world No 13 Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Goh of Malaysia who beat Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree 

Taerattanachai 21-15 21-16, in today’s semi-final.

 

“In terms of experience, they have the edge over us as they have played 

together for a long time while Bodin and I just started teaming up at the 

end of last year. But we have beaten some better teams on our way to the semis and we hope to continue that way,” Savitree said.

 

In the men's singles, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk put up a late fightback to upset world No 16 NG Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong 21-23 21-11 21-18 to set up a meet with top seed Lee Hyun Il today.

 

"I was happy to pull it off as I jave been training hard for this tournament and it paid off. I met my target to be in the semi-final and I have nothing to lose in the next match against Lee," said the Thai No 2 Tanongsak.

 

In the women’s doubles quarter-finals, Jongkolphan Kititharakul and 

Rawinda Prajongjai lost to London Olympics gold medallists Tian Qing 

and Xhao Yunlei of China 19-21 12-21.