At the first leg in Phuket two weeks ago, former Thailand Open champion and world No 18 Boonsak of the Senanikhom Club thrashed the Bangkok Bank's Chatpong Laemkhaothong in straight sets in the final to collect Bt34,000 plus 15,000 points for his efforts. For the second leg, the seeded players - including top seed Boonsak and second-seeded Poompat Sapkulchananat - received first round byes. Boonsak, who has won the national men's title six consecutive times, is due to take on the winner between Suthee Thiraksaphan and Yothin Ratchawong tomorrow.

In the women's singles, former SEA Games silver medallist Salakjit Ponsana is the top seed despite the fact that she lost to Sorajja Chansrisukot. Local No 2 Monthila Meemek, who skipped the first leg in Phuket, is seeded second. Both received first round byes.

Patthapol Ngernsrisuk and Sudket Praphakamol are the top seeds in the men's doubles and received a bye in the first round. Their strongest rivals are the third seeds, Thitipong Lapho and Chakkaphan Thanatheeratham, who ran away with the title in the first leg.

Saralee Thungthongkam, who skipped the first leg in Phuket, teams up with regular partner Sathinee Chankrajangwong and are the top seeds in the women's doubles. In the mixed doubles, Asian champions and top seeds Sudket and Saralee will be out to make up for missing the first leg. The world No 5 and semi-finalists at last year's World Championships also received first round byes.

After the finish of four legs, the top 14 in the men's singles, top 10 in the women's singles and six each in the doubles plus two more wild cards in each category will make the cut for the Bt1 million finals, which will be held at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium from September 6-10.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation