AS IT HAPPENED - BWF World Tour Finals, Day 2: Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin continue their fine run, Sindhu bows out
Axelsen and Marin notched up their second victories as PV Sindhu and Anthony Ginting succumbed to defeat. That and more of the Thursday headlines from Bangkok, as they happened.
Badminton
What a second day of action it's been at the World Tour Finals on Thursday (28th Jan).
Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin, as well as men's doubles pair Lee Yang and Wang Chi Lin, remain unbeaten in Bangkok, with all three managing straight-sets victories.
Axelsen, along with Chou Tien Chen, Wang Tzu Wei, and Anders Antonsen guaranteed their progress to the men's singles semi-finals with a group game to spare.
The women's singles sees Marin through to the final four, along with An Se Young, and Pornpawee Chochuwong. Tomorrow's match between Ratchonok Intanon and Tai Tsu Ying will decide who claims the final spot.
The men's doubles is wide open, with only Lee and Wang confirmed to advance. It's a similar story in the women's and mixed doubles as well, so there's still a lot to play for on Friday.
Catch up on all the key moments, as they happened, in our live blog entries below.
And don't forget to join us on Friday (29th Jan) for our live coverage of day 3, as the group stage ends and we complete the line-up for the knockout matches.
Live updates from Day 2 of the BWF World Tour Finals from Bangkok on Thursday 28th January 2021. All times local to Thailand (GMT +7). Please refresh for updates.
9:45 PM - Viktor Axelsen satisfied with his game
It was another masterclass performance by Viktor Axelsen in Bangkok as he beat Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia relatively easily in the second group stage match, and the Dane was pretty pleased with the way he played as he shares in his post-match interview
9:01 PM - Victory for Indonesia!
Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti finally found their rhythm and clinched victory against England's Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith.
While the first game was a closely contested affair, the second was quite the contrary.
The Indonesians raised their game to which the top seeds had no reply, and barely troubled the Asian pair as they went on to take victory in straight sets.
Jordan and Oktavianti will have to win against South Korea's Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yujung for a chance to advance to the semi-finals.
However victory alone will not be enough as the outcome between Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai and Ellis and Smith tomorrow will also need to be factored in.
Score: 22-20, 21-19
8:38 PM - Jordan and Oktavianti steal the advantage from mixed doubles top seeds
The final match of the day sees the mixed doubles pair of Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith take on Indonesians Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti.
Both pairs lost their opening fixtures and are in need of a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
It was Ellis and Smith who looked the better of the two in the first game as they surged ahead in the points.
But the Indonesians, who were trailing almost the entire game, drew level at 20-20 and went on to steal the win.
Score: 22-20
8:20 PM - Lee Zii Jia acknowledges he was not at his best
Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia admitted that he was not at his best out on court today as he lost to Viktor Axelsen in straight sets.
"To be honest, it was a bad performance today because I'm still trying to find my best form. I think we all know that Viktor has played well in these three tournaments and he's still continuing his best performance. I think he's unbeatable, he's tough. I went into the match thinking it was going to be tough with him [Axelsen], so I just tried my best today." - Lee Zii Jia
8:10 PM - Indonesia's Faizal and Widjaja bounce back to win
And the Indonesian's have done it!
Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja managed to recover from a game down to win their match against Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich.
It was a closely fought decider that saw Faizal and Widjaja just managed to edge out in front at the interval with an 11-9 lead.
The Germans tried to respond but were unable to match the Indonesians as they fell five points adrift, trailing 13-18.
With momentum on their side, Faizal and Widjaja crept ahead and were the first with an opportunity to clinch victory at 20-15.
A subsequent error by the Germans gifted victory to the Indonesians.
Faizal and Widjaja now have a chance to qualify for the semis if they can beat Malaysians Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemei Lai tommorrow.
Score: 15-21, 22-20, 21-15
7:52 PM - Viktor Axelsen makes winning look easy
Early net errors and inaccuracy by Lee Zii Jia allowed Viktor Axelsen to open up an 11-2 lead in the early stages of the second game.
Axelsen on the other hand seemed to find another level of performance after the break as he romped to a convincing straight sets victory in 32 minutes.
The Dane along with Chou Tien Chen will progress to the semi-finals with the pair playing each other tomorrow to decide who will top the group.
Score: 21-15, 21-4
7:45 - Faizal and Widjaja claw back to force a decier
Both the Germans and Indonesian mixed doubles pairs were desperate to notch up their first win of the World Tour Finals.
Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich were the better pair in the first game as they managed a 21-15 victory over Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.
The second game was a much closer contest with neither pair able to pull away and they found themselves tied at 15-15 and then again at 19-19.
The Germans dug deep to obtain a match point opportunity, but a service error by Herttrich kept the Indonesian’s in the game and they managed to clinch the game to force a decider
One final game to go to see who will keep their campaign hopes alive.
Score: 15-21, 22-20
7:35 PM - Axelsen takes control, winning the opening game
Viktor Axelsen was all business as he got off to a smashing start in his match against Lee Zii Jia.
The two-time Thailand Open winner put away point after point to run away with an 11-4 lead at the mid-game interval.
The Malaysian managed to bring himself closer to Axelsen in the second half, but the Dane responded and kept his opponent pegged back.
Lee crept closer but missed a few easy opportunities as Axelsen turned up the power to clinch the opening game
Score: 21-15
7:13 PM - Viktor Axelsen looking to continue his win streak
Viktor Axelsen is looking to continue his win steak as he faces Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia in the final match on court one.
It's the Dane's fifth World Tour Final compared to his opponent who is making his debut.
There are high hopes for Lee to fill the shoes of his predecessor, Lee Chong Wei, as the nation's coaching director, and Olympian Wong Choong Hann shares in the video below:
7:10 PM - Koreans had Thailand's mixed doubles pair their first defeat in Bangkok
Mixed double third seeds, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were forced to raise their game after losing the first game to Korea’s Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yujung.
Both pairs were eager to secure their semi-final spot with a second victory.
The Thai duo came out fighting in the second game, and enjoyed an 11-3 advantage at the interval. But Seo and Chae had no intention to allow the home team back into the game and clawed their way back to level the score at 15-15.
The Koreans seemed to find an extra gear to turn the tables on the Thais and moved into the lead.
Puavaranukroh and Taerattanachai seemed at a loss on court as Seo and Chae handed them their first defeat since the start of the three-in-a-row tournaments.
The Koreans are through to the semis while the Thais will need to win their match against Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith to progress,
Score: 21-17, 21-17
6:52 PM - Anders Antonsen marches on
After going losing the first game, Angus Ng Ka Long came out fighting in the second and surged into the lead, leaving Anton Anderson six points adrift.
However the Dane pulled himself back into contention and levelled the scored at 14-14.
Anderson exerted himself and went on to clinch victory in straight sets.
He makes the semis along with Wong Tzu Wei and the both with battle it out tomorrow to determine which player tops their group
Score: 21-19, 21-16
6:40 PM - Delrue and Gicquel were solid out on court today
French mixed doubles pair Delphine Delrue and Thom Gicquel beat the Malaysian pair of Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai to top their group and ensure their place in the semi-finals.
"I think we played very well today. We were solid throughout the match and we stuck to our plan so it was very good. I think they didn't have a clue today, so for us it's very good." - Thom Gicquel
6:27 PM – Advantage to Anders Antonsen
Anders Antonsen was in search of the second group stage win of the tournament to see him through to the semi-finals.
But Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long needed a win to keep his hopes of advancing alive.
The two were neck-and-neck all through the opening game with neither being able to pull out a significant lead.
The Dane just managed to push ahead and clinch the first game 21-19. How will Ng respond in the second?
Score: 21-19
6:12 PM - Ratchanok Intanon gets emotional after important victory against PV Sindhu
Tournament third seed, Ratchanok Intanon suffered a shock defeat to her younger compatriot, Pornpawee Chochuwong yesterday.
Today, she bounced back from defeat to beat PV Sindhu and helped keep her title hopes alive, in what has been an emotional 24 hours for the Thai player. Watch her interview below:
6:09 PM - Chou Tien Chen beats Anthony Ginting
The Chinese Taipei player showed no signs of letting up his attack as he gained a 11-7 at the mid-game interval.
Anthony Ginting seemed to fade away in the second game as Chou Tien Chen romped to 20-10 lead, which he converted into a straight sets victory.
Ginting who made the finals of last season’s World Tour Finals, sees his campaign effectively come to an end with two losses in the group stage.
Score: 21-19, 21-11
5:55 PM - French mixed doubles pair Gicquel and Delrue advance to semis
Both the French and Malaysian mixed doubles pairs were looking for their second win of the tournament to ensure they advance to the semi-finals.
It was Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue who managed to clinch the first game, 21-17.
Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai found themselves in a similar position as yesterday after the first game but could not pull-off a similar comeback as the French pair convincingly beat them.
Gicquel and Delrue now top their group but the Malaysians still have a chance to qualify if they can clinch a win against Indonesia’s Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja tomorrow.
Score: 21-17, 21-9
5:46 PM - Chou Tien Chen takes first game against Anthony Ginting
Anthony Ginting started the game in full control, but it was Chou Tien Chen who clinched the opening game of their match.
The Indonesian lead at the mid-game interval but third seed Chou, clawed back a six-point deficit to draw level at 18-18.
The Chinese Taipei player then went on the offensive and found himself with two game point opportunities.
Ginting managed to save the first but Chou did enough to come from behind to win the opening game.
Score: 21-19
5:22 PM - Chou Tien Chen takes to the court against Anthony Ginting
Following his victory against Lee Zii Jia yesterday, Chou Tien Chen will be looking for his second win against Indonesia's Anthony Ginting.
Ginting will be desperate to made amends for his loss to Viktor Axelsen yesterday.
We'll keep you updated with the score but in the meantime have a watch of our video which explains why Chou has chosen belly dancing classes as a way to improve his on court skills
5:15 PM - An Se Young ensures her spot in the semi-finals
South Korea An Se Young easily saw off Russia’s Evgeniya Kosetskaya to ensure that she will advance to the next stage of the tournament.
An, clinched a straight sets victory in just 35 minutes for her second successive win of the World Tour Finals.
The 18-year-old will face Carolina Marin tomorrow in a match to decide which player will top the group. The two faced off twice in both the semi-finals of the Thailand Open with Marin pulling off straight set victories both times.
Score: 21-13, 21-17
5:10 PM - UPSET ALERT: Pornpawee Chochuwong defeats Tai Tzu Ying reach semis
Two-time World Tour Finals winner Tai Tzu Ying was stretched by home favourite Pornpawee Chochuwong in their second match of the tournament.
The Chinese Taipei’s player who beat PV Sindhu yesterday found herself trailing against the young Thai player who managed to beat her idol, Ratchanok Intanon yesterday.
Chochuwong clinched the first game 21-17, and pulled out a 11-7 lead in the second.
Tai who made both finals of the Thailand Open over the past two weeks, seemed unable to match the pace and precision of Chochuwong who claimed the match in straight sets.
The victory takes Chochuwong to the top of the group. Tai will face Intanon tomorrow and the winner will clinch the second semi-final spot.
Score: 21-17, 21-11
4:45 PM - Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu are enjoying their time on court
The Indonesian women's doubles pair are in stride as they claimed their second win of the World Tour Finals.
"I think we were ready for today, we were prepared. We just wanted to play with full focus on the court and not lose points. We are still enjoying playing. We are are enjoying everything and giving it our best everyday." - Greysia Polii
4:30 PM -Polii and Rahayu top women's doubles Group A win second victory
Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu topped Group A of the women's doubles after a fairly straight forward victory over Vivian Hoo and Yap Cheng Wen.
The win takes Polii and Rahayu to the top of their group as a second defeat for the Malaysians will see them eliminated from the competition.
In Group A, either Korea's Lee and Shin or Malaysian's Chow and Lee can claim the second spot to advance to the semis if they can win their respective matches tomorrow.
Score: 21-17, 21-7
4:20 PM - Lee and Shin keep title hopes alive with decisive win over Malaysians
The Korean pair showed no signs of weariness despite their epic 94 minute match yesterday. Desperate to notch up their first win, Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan went on the offensive against Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean who were looking for their second victory of the tournament.
The Lee and Shin clinched the first game with relative ease 21-15, and took the lead again in the second.
Chow and Lee could not respond to the Korean’s who ran away with the match, to clinch their first win of the World Tour Finals and with a victory each, both pairs can still qualify for the semi-finals.
Score: 21-15, 21-17
4:02 PM - Carolina Marin just getting back up to speed
After an uncharacteristically sluggish match yesterday, Olympic champion Carolina Marin was much sharper on her way to victory today against Michelle Li and feels she's just warming up to the World Tour Finals.
She's now just three matches away from clinching the title.
3:38 PM - Srikanth Kidambi endures another loss
Meanwhile, the former world no. 1 Srikanth Kidambi of India is all but out of the competition following his three-games loss to world no. 12 Wang Tzu-wei of Chinese Taipei
The Indian took the opening game but couldn't build on the lead as the 25-year-old shuttler from Chinese Taipei rallied in fine fashion to pocket the win and strengthen his case for a place in the semi-finals at the BWF World Tour Finals.
3:33 PM - Ratchanok Intanon pockets first win
Intanon wraps up the match in style for an emphatic straight games win over the reigning world champion PV Sindhu.
The former world no. 1 took just over the 40-minute mark to register her first win of the competition and keep her hopes of making the last-four on Saturday.
As for Sindhu, her chances of making the semi-finals look slim after a second straight loss in the group stage.
Score: 21-18, 21-13
3:24 PM - Ratchanok Intanon maintains her hold
The momentum is firmly behind Intanon and it reflects on the scoreboard as well.
The Thai has been controlling the pace of the match well, pushing it at her will. Sindhu has to find a way to push this into a decider.
Score: 21-18, 11-8
3:12 PM - Ratchanok Intanon fights back
Intanon has slowly crawled her back to take the opening game. A five-point streak post the break was followed by some close vigil on how Sindhu went about her business.
The Thai didn't allow the world champion to build a huge lead, allowing her enough time to make a comeback without the scoreboard's pressure.
Score: 21-18
2:57 PM - PV Sindhu starts well
Much better from Sindhu today. She's come out with purpose and has made her opportunities count. Intanon, on her part, has been erratic with her shots, often playing into her opponent's trap.
Score: 6-11
2:41 PM - Chloe Birch, Lauren Smith happy with their show
Fourth seeds Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith of England were satisfied with the fight they showed in their win over Germany's Linda Efler and Isabel Herttrich.
Listen in as they share their thoughts on the game.
Meanwhile, on court 1, it's the local star Ratchanok Intanon up against world champion PV Sindhu of India.
2:38 PM - Carlonia Marin continue her dominant form
Another day, another win for Carolina Marin.
There's no stopping the Olympic champion here at the IMPACT Arena. The Spaniard races to a 21-16, 21- win over Canada's Michelle Li to take another step close to making it to Saturday's semis.
Score: 21-16, 21-13
2:28 PM - Carolina Marin surges ahead
The second game's no different.
Though Michelle Li brought out her shots and made the Spaniard work for her points, there's nothing stopping Carolina Marin here.
Score: 21-16, 11-5
2:18 PM - A Convincing Marin takes the opening game
The Olympic champion continues to be in a league of her own as she pockets the opening game without much fuss.
Marin has been confident in her shot-making and has hardly allowed her opponent any time to comprehend the barrage of returns that she has to deal with.
Meanwhile, for Michelle Li, the only way back is to attack the Spaniard and ask questions of her weak defence.
Score: 21-16
2:08 PM - Carolina Marin leads
A no-nonsense start from the Olympic champion. Carolina Marin is on top of her game, barely allowing Michelle Li any time to settle into a rhythm.
Score: 11-5
1:58 PM - Another win for Kim So Yeong, Kong Hee Yong
The world No. 6 Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong of South Korea are all but through to the semis following their straight games win over local pair Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai.
They win 21-12, 21-14
Up next, it's the reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin facing the underdog Canada's Michelle Li.
1:55 PM - Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov record maiden win
This should go down as the upset of the day so far.
Russians Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov beat world No. 9 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia to keep their BWF World Tour Finals hopes alive.
They were considered as the weakest pair in this group, but the Russians have surprised many with their dogged play and never-say-die attitude on the court.
Score: 19-21, 16-21
13:38 PM - Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov go one up
The Russians mean business.
Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov rally in a fine manner to cut the deficit and then surge ahead at the end to take the opening game.
The towering Vladimir Ivanov has used his height to great effect to nullify and advantage that the Malaysians could build on by making the Russians move around the court.
Score: 19-21
1:33 PM - Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin talk about nerves against the English pair
Their win looked rather straight forward but Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei admitted that it was anything but an easy match against England's Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
Watch...
1:28 PM - Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik start well
The Malaysians with a big lead at the mid-game interval.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have come with a gameplan and have stuck to it with their quick returns and swift courts movements making it hard for the Russians to find enough space to exploit.
Score: 11-6
1:12 PM - First win for Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith
Fourth seeds Chloe Birch and Lauren Smith of England down Germany's Linda Efler and Isabel Herttrich in a gruelling three-game tie for their first win of the campaign.
The world No. 18 pair record a 20-22, 21-16, 21-12 win to keep their dream of making the BWF Tour Finals semi-finals alive.
Up next, it's the second seeds in men's doubles Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia taking on the veteran Russians Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov.
Score: 20-22, 21-16, 21-12
12:55 PM - A lot to think for Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan
World champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia cut a sorry figure following their loss in the second group stage match at the BWF World Tour Finals.
Very disappointed because we made too many mistakes. They have a good defence, and when they counter-attack, we were not ready. We were prepared to have a long match because they are quite steady in the rallies, and we had our plans going in, but on the court, our plans didn’t work. I hope we will be better tomorrow." - Mohammad Ahsan
12:48 PM - Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi record first win
The Malaysians bring up their first win at the BWF World Tour Finals.
The second game has been much easier compared to the first. Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi were in total control, dictating the play with their shot selections.
The win keeps their hopes of making Saturday's semi-finals alive. As for Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge, it's all but done for the English pair at the BWF World Tour Finals.
Score: 21-19, 21-18
12:39 PM - Ong Yew Sin, Teo Ee Yi stay ahead
This one's close to call.
Long and well-crafted rallies have become the theme of this match. It's all about who can stay in it the longest.
For now Ong Yew Sin, Teo Ee Yi lead 11-10 at the mid-game interval.
Score: 21-19, 11-10
12:16 PM - Ong Yew Sin, Teo Ee Yi go ahead
The Malaysians rally from 13-18 down to take the opening game with some fine badminton.
This one's had everything so far. Quick-fire rallies, powerful smashes and long rally. In fact, the longest one -- a 61-shot rally -- even saw Ong Yew Sin hurry towards his bench to change the racquet mid-way through the rally.
It's all happening here!
Score: 21-19
12:05 PM - Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge lead
This is a fine start from the English pair as they go into the mid-game interval with an 11-7 lead.
However, more than Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge working for their points, it's the number of unforced errors from Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi that has helped the English pair surge ahead.
Score: 7-11
11:48 AM - Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin make semis
Top seeds in the men’s doubles Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei seal their place in Saturday's semi-finals following a straight games win over England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
They beat the English duo 21-14, 21-18.
Up next, it's another men's double match between Malaysia's Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi and Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge of England.
11:46 AM - Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu get their first win
This one felt more like a boxing match with both the teams going blow for blow. But it's the Koreans who come out trumps.
Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu bring their 'A' game to the fore against the world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia for their first win at the BWF World Tour Finals.
This was their third win over the Indonesians in as many matches.
Score: 19-21, 16-21
11:38 AM - Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu stay ahead
The Koreans have held their composure and head to the turn with their noses ahead.
This time, it's their power game that's caught the world champions by surprise. Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu have been precise with their smashes close to the line, often having the opponents in double mind.
Score: 19-21, 9-11
11:26 AM - Seo Seung-Jae, Choi Soi Gyu with the opening game
The Koreans turn it around at the death.
Just when it looked like Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan will go ahead and take the opening game, Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu work well for three straight points to win the opening game.
The Koreans have stuck to their gameplan of keeping the shuttle as low as possible and going deep with their lifts, forcing the Indonesians to work for their points.
Score: 19-21
11:17 AM - Seo Seung-Jae, Choi Soi Gyu with the slender lead
Unlikely yesterday, the Koreans have settled in well and lead the game 11-10 at the mid-game interval.
They have kept the shuttle as low as possible, forcing Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan to work hard to keep the rallies going. But it's not easy to keep the Indonesians at bay.
Score: 10-11
10:45 AM: Doubles pairs to kick off proceedings
Like on Monday, there will be two matches going on simultaneously at any given point of time on Court 1 and Court 2 of the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok.
Kicking things off on day two of the BWF World Tour Finals are the world champions in men’s doubles Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia. They face a dogged duo in South Korea’s Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu.
The two pairs have faced each other twice in the past with the Koreans coming on top on both occasions. The latest meeting saw Seo Seung-Jae and Choi Soi Gyu register a straight-games win at the Yonex Thailand Open at the start of this Asian leg of events.
Meanwhile, on Court 2, it’s the top seeds in the men’s doubles Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin of Chinese Taipei lining up against England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy.
10:30 AM: Day 2 of the BWF World Tour Finals is live!
Good morning all, and welcome to the Olympic Channel’s live coverage of the BWF World Tour Finals.
A day after all the leading favourites for the title at the BWF World Tour Finals laid down the marker with their superlative performances, champion shuttlers will be looking forward to sealing their place in the Saturday’s semi-finals.
The day has some top matches in-store with Olympic champions Carolina Marin of Spain taking on Canada's Michelle Li while the world No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei will be up against local hope Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Marin, Tai Tzu Ying and Chochuwong won their opening matches on Monday and a win today will see them seal their place in the last four of the competition.
Meanwhile, the day will also see the reigning world champion PV Sindhu take on the top-ranked Thai and a familiar foe in Ratchanok Intanon. The two last faced off at the Toyota Thailand Open where Intanon steamrolled past a hapless Sindhu for a comfortable win.
In the men’s segment, a red-hot Viktor Axelsen of Denmark is up against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia while the former world No. 1 Srikanth Kidambi will be searching for his first win against the fourth seed Wang Tzu Wei of Chinese Taipei.
In the men’s doubles, things are not as straightforward as it seems after Russia’s Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov took the world champions Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan to the decider.
The Russians will be hoping to go a step further when they line up against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
The women’s doubles event also riddled with some twists and turns, with Germany’s Linda Efler and Isabel Herttrich considering themselves with a chance to make the last-four after a fighting performance against the second seeds Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong of South Korea.
Stay tuned as we will be bringing you live updates throughout the day!