Thai Badminton Thrill & Spill

[Loh]

The Nation
Sports
December 30, 2007

Show Goes On

Badminton players found themselves paying the price for their inconsistent display. Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam had climbed to the top of the world mixed-doubles table in May, but their fairytale was short-lived - lasting just over a week. The duo then slipped gradually to settle at eighth.

They made the finals twice - at the Singapore Open and China Open - but failed to take home a single trophy. However, the year was still noteworthy for the duo as they conquered the top three partnerships in the world.

At the China Open in November, the Thais upset world No 1 Zheng Bo and Gao Ling and world No 3 Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen. The pair also stunned world No 2 Widianto Nova and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia in the semi-finals of the SEA Games, but had to settle for silver again.

After a blistering performance to shock world No 1 Lin Dan of China on way to his first Singapore Open title, Thai ace Boonsak Ponsana let his form slip as he crashed out at the second round of the following tournament in Indonesia and did not get beyond the quarter-finals thereafter.

His best show was on home turf when the Thai world No 12 managed to exact revenge on reigning Olympic champ Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the men's team semi-finals at the SEA Games.