Kunlavut to battle with Kantaphon

Thai men’s singles hopes Kunlavut Vitisarn and Kantaphon Wangcharoen booked their berths in the round of 16 at the US$1.25 million Malaysia Open in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai also advanced in the World Tour Super 1000 event at Axiata Arena in the Malaysian capital city.

Eighth seed Kunlavut edged Shesar Hiren Rhustavito of Indonesia 21-23, 21-19, 24-22 while Kantaphon also needed three games to defeat Brian Yang of Canada 21-16, 17-21, 21-13.

The two will face off against each other today with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Mixed doubles second seeds Dechapol and Sapsiree beat fellow Thais Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran 21-14, 21-14.

They next play Terry Hee Yong Kai and Jessica Tan Wei Han of Indonesia in the round of 16 today.

In the women’s doubles event, Supissara Paewsampran…