Ratchapol prevails

Ratchapol, a former world amateur champion and winner of three world professional ranking tournaments, was precariously placed in the deciding frame when a masterpiece break pushed him over the finish line and took him into the semi-finals at the Khum Suphan Hotel.

Earlier in the day, veteran Praprut Chaithanasakul qualified for the second straight semi-final of the season in as many appearances when he recorded a comfortable 4-1 win over Suttipong Chansri. National No 1 Issara Kachaiwong had an even cruisier time in handing a 4-0 hammering to Atthasit Mahitthi in the third quarter-final.

Ratchapol had entered the match as a heavy favourite to beat Fung, but it turned out to be a three-hour marathon for the Thai ace.

Frame scores:

Wednesday's last 16 round: Suttipong Chansri b Noppadol Sangnil 4-3 (37-49, 50-38, 57-20, 15-53, 78-49, 41-69, 51-20); Atthasit Mahitthi b Manan Chandra (India) 4-1 (66-23, 20-89, 51-19, 62-53, 70-36)

Yesterday's quarter-finals: Praprut Chaithanasakul b Suttipong Chansri 4-1 (55-57, 64-34, 64-1, 71-41, 72(64)-56); Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm b Fung Kwok Wai (HK) 4-3 (45-73, 70(70)-35, 82(64)-34, 53-72, 93(54)-12, 21-69(58), 87(79)-44).

The Nation

Suphan Buri