by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Chetthanabodi Chanpen and Wanchat Pitagulsiri were the players to fly the Thai flag; both beat Singaporean adversaries to reserve quarter-final places.

Wanchat Pitagulsiri overcame Singapore’s Jabez Mason Law, the no.8 seed (6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7); Chetthanabodi Chanpen accounted for Singapore’s Nicholas Chong (11-6, 11-8, 11-6).

Two surprise names through to the last eight and there were three more; the biggest surprise being Hong Kong’s Yiu Kwan To. In the second round of proceedings, similar to Chetthanabodi Chanpen and Wanchat Pitagulsiri he caused Singapore more pain. He beat Pang Yew En Koen, the no.2 seed (11-5, 11-5, 8-11, 17-15).

An unexpected last eight berth for Yiu Kwan To; it was the same for Chinese Taipei’s Wang Guan-Ru. He recorded a second round win in opposition to India’s Krishna Jain (11-9, 11-8, 11-6).

Meanwhile, in the remaining second round Cadet Boys’ Singles encounters with a quarter-final place the prize, it was success as status advised.

Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin, the top seed, beat Andy Wong Yan Kai, also from Singapore (11-4, 11-9, 13-11); Hong Kong’s Wong Hon Lam, the no.6 seed, defeated Malaysia’s Danny Ng Wann Sing (11-9, 11-9, 11-4), whilst Maurice Chong Kai Ning, the no.3 seed and likewise from Hong Kong ended the hopes of Malaysia’s Amos Ling Yi Heng (11-5, 11-7, 12-10).

In the round of the last eight, Feng Yi-Hsin plays Wong Hon Lam; Chetthanabodi Chanpen confronts Wang Guan-Ru. In the lower half of the draw, Maurice Chong Kai Ning meets Wanchat Pitakgusiri, Ho Jui-Hin opposes Yiu Kwan To.

Meanwhile, in the Hopes Boys’ Singles event, where matters have advanced to the penultimate round, India is very much to the fore. At the semi-final stage, Tharun Shanmugam meets Iran’s Mohammad Amin Samadi; Preyesh Suresh Raj opposes Singapore’s Izaac Quek Yong.

Play in Bangkok concludes on Sunday 14th May.

Photos: Nakares Terakashimi