by Ian Marshall, Editor

Gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Rungroj Thainiyom duly secured first place in his group in Class 6 as anticipated, he commenced play as the top seed, finishing ahead of Russia’s Mars Gabdullin; a situation that also prevailed in the corresponding group. Korea Republic’s Park Hongkyu, the no.2 seed, clinched top spot with Russia’s Alexander Esaulov, the runner up.

Likewise in Class 7, Chalermpong Punpoo commenced play as the top name; he duly completed his group phase matches ahead of Japan’s Takuya Shibasaki, an event in which colleagues, Yuttana Namsaga and Suriyone Thampeng secured second places. Both experienced defeat at the hands of higher rated Japanese opposition. Yuttana Namsaga lost to Masachika Inoue, the no.2 seed (11-5, 11-6, 15-17, 12-14, 11-3), Suriyone Thampeng was beaten by Kazuya Kaneko, the no.3 seed (11-3, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9).

The final group positions as expected; not in the one remaining group. Korea Republic’s Kim Youngsung beat Japan’s Kosuke Hemmi, the no.4 seed (11-6, 5-11, 13-11, 6-11, 13-11) to reserve top spot. Kim Youngsung duly finished in second place and thus advanced to the main draw.

Likewise in Class 8, Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri justified his top seeded position to finish ahead of Vietnam’s Pham Van Hoang; however, for compatriot Komrit Charitsat, the no.5 seed, there was defeat. He suffered at the hands of Korea Republic’s Kim Hyeonggwon (11-9, 11-6, 11-9) and had to settle for runners up spot. Kim Hyeonggwon remained unbeaten to top the group.

Meanwhile, in the remaining groups, as with Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri, it was top spot for the seeded players. Russia’s Aleksei Saunin, the no.2 seed, duly finished in first place in his group as did the next on the list Vietnam’s Vo Quoc Hong and Hong Kong’s Lam Ka Wei.

First place for the top seeded Thai trio, it was the same for Bunpot Sillapong in Class 10; the no.2 seed, he finished in first position in his group ahead of Japan’s Naoya Nagashita. Likewise, in the counterpart group it was top spot for the leading name Japan’s Nariaki Kakita, he ended matters ahead of Iraq’s Abdulrahman Hikmat Shafeeq.

Predominantly success for the most prominent, it was the same in Class 9 where Hong Kong’s Wong Chi-Yin and Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Deshappriya Pittiyage Don Silva, the respective top two seeds, secured first places in their groups; however in Class 11, the category for players with a learning disability, life was different.

Chile’s Marco Antonio Aqueveque Quijada, the lowest rated player in the group, beat Korea Republic’s Jeong Kyuyoung, the top seed (8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 3-11, 14-12) and Hong Kong’s Fan Ka Ho (4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 12-10) to head the order. Jeong Kyuyoung duly recovered to overcome Fan Ka Ho (11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9).

A surprise first place, in the remaining groups it was as expected; Hong Kong’s Wan Wai Lok, the no.2 seed and Japan’s Yuki Kinoshitsa, the no.3 seed, duly reserved top spots.

Play in the main draw will conclude later in the day.

2018 Thailand Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws