21 Dec 2018

Progress to the second stages of proceedings, it was a positive outcome for the host nation as play concluded in the opening encounters in the wheelchair categories in the Women’s Singles events at the 2018 Thailand Para Open in Chiang Mai on Thursday 20th December.

Wijittra Jaion duly secured first place in her group as her status suggested, likewise Wassana Sringam and Pattaravadee Wararitdamrongkul progressed but the players to attract the attention were Dararat Asayut and Panwas Sringam.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

Competing in Class 4-5, Wijittra Jaion, the no.2 seed, duly remained unbeaten and finished in first position in her group ahead of colleague Panwas Sringam and Iraq’s Rusul Waeli. The runners up spot achieved by Panwas Sringam was somewhat of a surprise; she commenced play as the lowest rated in the group; after losing to Wijittra Jaion (11-6, 11-7, 12-14, 11-2), she accounted for Iraq’s Rusul Waeli (11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6) to seal second spot.

A place in the main draw for Panwas Sringam; in the adjacent group, it was the same for Wassana Sringam. She experienced defeat at the hands of Korea Republic’s Jung Younga (11-4, 11-6, 11-6) but wins in opposition to colleague Supalak Butgunha (11-9, 11-8, 11-7) and Iraq’s Najlam Imad Lafta Al Dayyeni (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9) secured a semi-final place.

Fine performances but pride of place went to Dararat Asayut; competing in Class 2-3, in her opening contest she beat Korea Republic’s Lee Migyu, the no.2 seed, silver medallist one year ago in the same category and earlier this year bronze medal winner in Class 1-3 at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta. Most imposing Dararat Asayut emerged successful in three straight games (11-7, 11-7, 11-7). Good form, the good form was maintained; in her concluding contest she beat Singapore’s Lay Lian Christina Lau (11-4, 11-2, 11-4) to secure first place in the group. Lee Migyu duly ended matters in second place and thus advanced to the second stage.

Progress to the semi-finals for Dararat Asayut, it was the same for Pattaravadee Wararitdamrongkul; she finished in second place in her Class 2-3 group, her one defeat being at the hands of Korea Republic’s Yoon Jiyu, the top seed (9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).

The semi-finals and finals will be played later in the day.

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