Thailand Open Highlights: Lakshya Sen, Kiran George enters quarterfinal, Saina Nehwal loses

Thailand Open Highlights: Lakshya Sen and Kiran George made their way into the quarterfinal at the Thailand Open 2023. While Lakshya Sen defeated China’s Li Shi Feng 21-17, 21-15, Kiran George sailed past Weng Hong Yang 21-11, 21-19. Earlier, India’s Men’s Doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost to Indonesia’s Muhammad Fikri and Bagas Maulana 26-24, 11-21, 17-21 on Thursday,1st June 2023. Saina Nehwal also suffered a 11-21, 14-21 loss against He Bing Jiao. Follow Thailand Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN

Also Read: Thailand Open Highlights: Lakshya Sen, Saina Nehwal, Kiran George clinch wins, PV Sindhu bows out

Men’s Singles

• Kiran George BEAT Weng Hong Yang – 21-11, 21-19
• Lakshya Sen BEAT Li Shi Feng – 21-17, 21-15

Women’s Singles

• Ashmitha Chaliha vs Carolina Marin – 10.40 AM
• Saina Nehwal LOST TO He Bing Jiao – 11-21, 14-21

Men’s Doubles

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty BEAT Magas Maulana/Mohammed Fikri – 26-24, 11-21, 17-21

Men’s Singles

Lakshya Sen vs Li Shi Feng

Li Shi Feng began the contest by trailing 2-5. The Indian however took three straight points and levelled the scores 5-5. Li Shi Feng managed to pull his way back with two successive points to lead 9-7. The Chinese with a smash straight down the line enters the interval with a 11-8 lead.

After the interval, Lakshya Sen made a terrific comeback, he took seven straight points to go up 15-11. It became difficult for the Chinese to mount a comeback and Lakshya capitalised on his lead and went up 20-16. A wide shot from the Chinese helped Lakshya Sen win the first game 21-17.

In the second game too, Lakshya Sen trailed initially. He then levelled the scores 5-5. From 6-6, he clinched three points on the trot and took the lead. The Indian entered the interval with a four-point lead. It soon became a one-sided affair as Lakshya completely dominated the contest and sealed the contest in straight games.

Kiran George, the Odisha Open 2022 Champion, continued his superb form as he defeated world No. 26 China’s Weng Hong Yang in straight games 21-11, 21-19 in the Round of 16 clash. Kiran George had stunned third seed Shi Yu-Qi of China in the first round on Wednesday, May 31.

Ashmita Chaliha, went down 18-21 13-21 to former Olympic and three-time World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain. Saina Nehwal also bowed out from the tournament after losing 11-21, 14-21 against He Bing Jiao.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty vs Bagas Maulana/Mohammed Fikri

India’s Men’s Doubles pair began the contest with a lead. They entered the interval with a 11-7 lead. The Indian pair continued to maintain their lead and got to the match point with the scores at 20-16. However the Indonesian pair saved four match points and levelled the scores 20-20.

From then on, both the pairs fought for the decisive point. Leading 25-24, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy with a drop shot won the first set. The Indonesians came back strong in the second game. They completely dominated and won the game 21-11, taking the contest into the decisive third game.

In the final game too the Indonesians led right from the start. They entered the interval with a 11-6 lead. In the second-half they maintained their lead and got to the match point with a 20-14 lead. The Indians saved three match points. A backhand kill from Bagas Maulana helped the Indonesians seal the contest. This is the first time they have defeated the Indians after three matches.

Thailand Open Highlights: Lakshya Sen, Kiran George enters quarterfinal, Saina Nehwal loses