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Published on November 14, 2007

There are weak players in the championships and then there are those who are genuinely talented to stake a claim for the top honours this year, but when the field starts to shrink at the end of the first round matches on November 21, what will count the most is consistency in both form and temperament.

Thailand's Kobkit Palajin, a former world under-21 runner-up, survived a scare when he was stretched by little-known Ahmed Basheer of Oman. What is most bothering is that Kobkit, who is known for his break-building abilities, has so far not found his touch, with his best run ending at 70 points on the opening day.

Phaithoon Phon-bun, Chinnakrit Yao-wannasiri and Passa-korn Suwannawat have recorded comfortable victories over their group rivals.

In the ladies event, Santhinee Jaisuekul, winner of the silver medal at the 2007 Macau Asian Indoor Games earlier this month, failed to match former champion Wendy Jans of Belgium and suffered a 3-0 defeat. Another Belgian, Isabelle Jonckheere, also showed class when she hammered Juli of Singapore 3-0.

Agencies

Nakhon Ratchasima