Birthday girl Pornpawee ousts ex-champion from Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters
Pornpawee Chochuwong celebrated her birthday on Wednesday (January 22) by beating defending champion Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia in the opening round of the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters, which kicked off on Tuesday (January 21) at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.
The world No 19, who turns 22 on Wednesday, had no problem picking off the diminutive Indonesian in straight sets, 21-9 21-16, in just 37 minutes in the BWF World Tour Super 300 event.
The 2018 finalist, who has yet to win a singles title on the tour, joined 2017 champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan who was put to the test before beating sixth-seeded Sung Ji Hyun of South Korea 26-24 22-24 21-18 in a long tussle lasting 88 minutes.
Also advancing into round two was teenager Phittayaporn Chaiwan. The 2019 World Junior Championships bronze medallist ousted Lianne Tan of Belgium 21-18 21-12.
On the men’s side, 2019 World Championships bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen went down to Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-18 21-12 21-14 in an all Thai affair.
Also advancing were three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn after he vanquished Vladimir Malkov of Russia 21-14 21-13 and Khosit Phetpradab who beat Huang Yu Xiang of China 14-21 21-13 21-14.
Third-seeded Ng Ka Long Angus of Hong Kong stunned former Olympic champion Lin Dan of China 21-18 21-9.
