World No. 2 Kunlavut thrilled spectators at Nimibutr Stadium with a commanding performance, overwhelming Japan’s 35th-ranked Okimoto in their debut matchup. The two-time champion from 2023 and 2025 advances to the last 16, where he faces the winner between Taiwan’s Lee Chia-hao and Chi Yu-jen.
Men’s Singles Highlights
Emerging talent Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul exited early, falling to Indonesia’s Moh Zaki Ubaidillah 10-21, 18-21.
Top seed Shi Yuqi of China dispatched Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting 21-12, 21-17. Third seed Anders Antonsen progressed with a 21-7, 21-17 victory over Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan. Sixth seed Kodai Naraoka overcame India’s Ayush Shetty 21-13, 17-21, 21-4.
Singapore’s eighth seed Loh Kean Yew became the first top men’s seed eliminated, losing to India’s Srikanth Kidambi 14-21, 15-21.
Women’s Singles Upsets and Advances
Pitchamon Opatniputh, the 19-year-old former world junior champion, stunned eighth seed and 2024 winner Supanida Katethong 21-15, 22-20. She next meets India’s Devika Sihag.
Other Thai players advanced smoothly: Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min 21-16, 21-6; fourth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong rallied past India’s Unnati Hooda 11-21, 21-17, 21-16; and Yataweemin Ketklieng defeated Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei 13-21, 21-19, 21-16.
Busanan awaits Japan’s top seed Akane Yamaguchi, who beat China’s Han Qian Xi 21-17, 21-15. Pornpawee and Yataweemin set up an all-Thai last-16 showdown.
China’s second seed Chen Yufei fought back to defeat India’s Anmol Kharb 19-21, 21-13, 21-18 and will face another Indian, Malvika Bansod, next.
Mixed Doubles Action
Ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand secured their last-16 spot, edging Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Julie MacPherson 17-21, 21-19, 21-13.
