Thais ready for qualifying round

[BADMINTON] The men's duo of Sudket Prapakamol and Tessana Panvisvas will lead the Thai challenge in the qualifying round of the SCG Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold, which gets under way today at Nimibutr National Stadium.

The Thai pair stand a fair chance of booking a berth in the main draw as the draw has been favourable to them.

Sudket, and veteran Tessana, who will make his first appearance at the meet after his retirement, will lock horns with Chris Langridge and Richard Eidestedt of England.

Fellow Thai Phattapol Ngernsrisuk and Nitipong Saengsila are likely to have a tough match against Malay-sians Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid and Tan Wee-kiong.

Nuttapon Narkthong and Patipat Chalardchalaem face the Malaysian pair of Goh Ying-jin and Azrihanif Azahar.

In the men's singles, rising Thai star Tawan Huansuriya takes on Malaysian Wong Wai-hong, while compatriot Vasin Nilyok will have a stiff opener against South Korean Park Tae-sang.

Thai Pakkawat Wilailak clashes with Hungary's Henrik Toth, while countryman Pisit Poodchalard plays Mohamed El Sead of Egypt.

Thai No 2 Soratja Chansrisukot and Monthila Meemek face the Taiwanese duo of Chang Li-yin and Chen Shih-ying.

In the women's singles, Sithee Prueksapaisalsin opens her campaign against tough rival, Yuan Kartika Putri, from Indonesia. Pornthip Buranaprasertsuk faces Indian Shruti Kurian.

The competition starts at 8am, while the main round takes place tomorrow.