Lin pushed by Thai qualifier Pakkawat
TOR CHITTINAND
China's world number one Lin Dan and local star Boonsak Ponsana got off to a winning start at the SCG World Grand Prix Thailand Open Badminton Championships at Nimibutr Gymnasium yesterday. But while the Thai secured a comfortable win, the Chinese struggled to reach the second round in the men's singles. Lin took the first game 21-11 against Thai qualifier Pakkawat Vilailak. But the little-known Thai fought back to stun the Chinese star 21-17 in the second game.
But Lin regrouped to win the third game 21-14. He will meet Hsieh Yu-Hsin of Taiwain in the second round.
Thailand's number one Boonsak needed only 28 minutes to see off compatriot Vasin Nilyoke 21-10, 21-14.
In the women's singles, Boonsak's sister, Salakjit Ponsana, needed just 21 minutes to beat India's Aditi Mutatkar 21-17, 21-1.
Salakjit, who has qualified for the Olympics but is unseeded here, will meet third seed Chen Wang of Hong Kong in the second round.
''My performance was good because my opponent was not strong,'' she said.
Chen rallied to defeat Anita Raj Kaur of Malaysia in three exciting games of 16-21, 21-13, 21-18 in the opening round.
World number one Xie Xingfang of China edged out Malaysia's Julia Pei Xian Wong 21-17, 19-21, 21-19.
Xie will meet Indonesia's Yuswandari Aprillia in the second round.
In the mixed doubles, Thai hopefuls Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam defeated Singapore's Chayut Triyachart and Shinta Mulia Sari 21-6, 21-13.
