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Published on January 16, 2008

In the women's singles, Salakjit Ponsana, who survived a tough battle against Xing Aiying of Singapore 21-19 17-21 21-13 in the first qualifier, was outplayed by Bernadet Pia Zebadiah of Indonesia 21-17 21-13 in her second match.

Her compatriot Soratja Chansrisukot needed three sets to see off Chang Liying of Taiwan 21-16 18-21 21-12 in the first hurdle. But her winning streak was short-lived as she went down 19-21 15-21 to Alizabeth Cann of England in the second qualifier.

In the men's event, Nguyen Tien-minh of Vietnam showed Thai No 2 Poompat Sapkulchananart that victory in the recent SEA Games, which was held in Nakhon Ratchasima, was not just a fluke. The Vietnamese sent the Thai packing in a comfortable 21-18 21-17 win.

In today's first-round matches, Thai ace Boonsak Ponsana is due to take on Indonesia's Simon Santoso in the men's singles, while the mixed-doubles team of Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam, who are ranked 8th in the world, face old foes Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg of England.

The Nation