Kunlavut set for first Thailand Masters quarter-finals

Three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn reached his first home World Tour quarter-finals following a 21-11 18-21 21-10 over Soong Joo Ven of Malaysia in the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on Thursday (January 23).

Kunlavut set for first Thailand Masters quarter-finals Ratchanok Intanon

The 18-year-old Thai, the first player in the history to win three World Championship boys’ singles titles, shrugged off a rusty form in the second game to win the men’s singles second round in 59 minutes.

“I tried to change my plan to be more consistent in the final game. My opponent was quite solid, so I had to cut off unforced errors. My attacking game let me down today,” said the teenager in his first ever final eights in a home World Tour event.

Up next for him is fellow countryman Suppanyu Avihingsanon who beat former Thai No 1 Khosit Phetpradab 19-21 21-10 22-20.

“I take one match at a time. I’ve just moved from the junior level and still have a lot to learn,” he added.

On the women’s side, Ratchanok Intanon extended her unbeatable record to 7-0 in two weeks as she crushed Pai Yu Po of Taiwan 21-13 21-14. The world No 5 just won her first title of the year last week in Indonesia. She is the last Thai female remaining in the draw as Busanan Ongbamrungphan and Pornpawee Chochuwong have all crashed out in straight sets.