Navin Stuns Phaithoon

   Earlier in the day, Somporn Kunthawung defeated follow veteran and former world amateur and Asian champion Sakchai Sim-ngam 4-1 to move into the quarter-finals of the national championship at the JP Emerald Hotel.

   Phaithoon had entered the match as a heavy favourite but he soon found himself to be on the receiving end. Navin from Chonburi got into his rhythm early and carefully built up a massive 3-1 lead.

   However, Phaithoon, winner of the fourth ranking event of the season in Phitsanulok in July, put up an impressive fightback and succeeded in levelling the frame score at 3-3 with the help of breaks of 76 and 72.

   In the deciding frame, Navin had a small but crucial break of 35 points to overtake Phaithoon 49-31. Phaithoon had a chance to take the frame and match away from Navin, but he missed a simple pot on the last brown, allowing his rival to pot the brown, blue and pink balls to march into the quarter-finals.

    Navin next plays Somporn in the quarter-finals on Thursday at the same venue.

    Somporn from Chiang Mai was also in fine form and never allowed Sakchai to disrupt the follow of his game. Somporn, a two-time former national champion, forms an important part of the country's plans for the 2007 SangSom World Masters Championship, which will take place in conjunction with the men's and ladies' world meets in Korat later this year.

   In Thursday's quarter-finals, reigning Thailand No. 1 and national champion Issara Kachaiwong, who was impressive in hammering Thongchai Punyawi 4-0 on Tuesday, takes on former world amateur champion Noppadon Noppachorn and can expect a tougher battle.

    In another quarter-final clash, young Thepchaiya Un-nooh, a 4-3 winner over Noppadol Sangnil on Tuesday, faces in-form former Asian champion Praprut Chaithanasakul.

Frame scores:

Last 16 round -- Somporn Kunthawung beat Sakchai Sim-ngam 4-1 (28-65, 83-44, 78(60)-27, 72-27, 53-29); Navin Hengsomboon beat Phaithoon Phonbun 4-3 (79-46, 63-36, 14-69(68), 83-25, 96(76)-33, 91(72)-12, 66-44)