Giant killers reach semi-finals

Malaysia’s Vivian Hoo (right) and Woon Khe Wei continued their fine run in the US$120,000 SCG Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold tournament on Friday when they reached the semi-finals of the women’s doubles.

The unseeded Malaysians, who are playing in their first International Open as a pair, had defeated top seeds and home favourites Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul in three games on Thursday.

They then took care of Indonesia’s Keysa Nurvita Hanadia-Aprilsasi Putri Lejarsar Variella in the second round before beating another Indonesian pair – Anneke Feinya Agustin-Nitya Krishinda Maheswari 21-18, 21-19 at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Complex on Friday.

They are the sole Malaysian representatives in the semi-finals of the five categories. The rest of the semi-finalists are made up of players from China (seven), South Korea (five), Indonesia and Taipei with two each and one from Hong Kong, the United State and Thailand.

Vivian-Khe Wei will next play seventh seeded Chinese pair Cheng Shu-Yixin Bao for a place in Sunday’s final.

Cheng Shu, who had a successful partnership with Zhao Yunlei, is slowly but surely finding the right moves with her new partner. This was evident in their 21-10, 21-8 demolition of Indonesia’s Imawan Gebby Ristiyani-Nuraidah Tiara Rosalia.

In the bottom half of the draw, Proton Malaysia Open Superseries champions Tian Qing-Zhao Yunlei defeated Jung Kyung Eun-Kim Ha Na 21-16, 21-12 to set-up a semi-final encounter against Hong Kong’s Poon Lok Yan-Tse Ying Suet.

Thailand suffered a double blow when Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam (left), and Songphon Anugritayawon- Kunchala Voravichitchaikul, the first and second seeds in the mixed doubles, were knocked out of the competition.

Sudket-Saralee were stunned 21-17, 21-14 by eighth seeded Indonesians Nova Widianto-Vita Marissa while Songphon- Kunchala were knocked out by All England champions Xu Chen-Ma Jin, who won 22-20, 21-11.

In the men’s doubles event, former world champions Howard Bach-Tony Gunawan of the United States have set-up a semi-final date with top seeded South Koreans Lee Yong Dae-Jung Jae Sung.

The eighth seeded Americans stunned third seeds Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu of Taipei 21-10, 21-17.