Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand advanced to the quarter-finals of the BWF World Championships by defeating Saina Nehwal of India 21-17, 16-21, 21-13 in their women’s singles match Tokyo on Thursday.
In the men’s draw, rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated Kenta Nishimoto of Japan 21-13 21-6.
Also advancing were the women’s doubles seventh seeds Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajonghai, who defeated Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi of Japan, 19-21, 21-10, 21-12.
But mixed doubles stars Dechapol Puavaranukro and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, ranked No.1 in the world, were upset by Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Lohau. The 9th-seeded Germans swept aside their Thai rivals with a straight sets (21-16, 21-14) win that took just 38 minutes.
However, Sapsiree remains alive in the women’s doubles, after she and partner Puttita Supajirakul defeated Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Soeva, 21-13, 21.21.
Elsewhere in women’s singles, eighth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon’s run ended with a round of 16 loss to 13th seed Michelle Li of Canada, who prevailed in three sets, 25-23, 16-21, 21-13.
Another Thai hope, Pornpawee Chochuwong, fell to Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei of China, who won 21-17, 17-21, 21-10.
In the men’s draw, rising star Kunlavut Vitidsarn was facing Kenta Nishimoto of Japan for a berth in the quarter finals in a later match.
Japanese defending champion and top seed Akane Yamaguchi reached the women’s singles quarterfinals by beating 14th-seeded compatriot Sayaka Takahashi in straight games.
Yamaguchi, the winner last year in Huelva, Spain, and the top seed, was made to work before taking the first game 21-18 but cruised 21-7 in the second to clinch the round-of-16 win in 36 minutes at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Next up for Yamaguchi will be the fifth seed, Carolina Marin of Spain.
