Top-ranked Tai breezes into quarter-finals of badminton's Thailand Open

BANGKOK (AFP) - Women s badminton world number one Tai Tzu-ying breezed into the quarter-finals of the Thailand Open on Thursday, sweeping aside South Korea s Kim Ga-eun 21-16, 21-10 in less than half an hour.

The 26-year-old s victory came as the Badminton World Federation declared the tournament safe to continue following the latest round of Covid-19 testing.

"It has been a while since the last tournament, and this is the same for everyone, so (these first few matches) are not easy," admitted Tai after overcoming the 17th-ranked Kim.

"I felt better today and had less unforced errors."

Tai is seeking back-to back titles 10 months apart after winning the All England Championship on her last tournament appearance in March before the coronavirus shutdown.

The Taiwanese player will next face Canada s eighth seed Michelle Li for a place in the semi-finals.

World number 10 Li fought back after dropping the first game against another South Korean, Sung Ji-hyun, before prevailing 15-21, 21-15, 21-14.

Former world number one Saina Nehwal did not fare as well when she went up against Thai player Busanan Ongbamrungphan, who managed to stay on top after a tight first game 21-23, 21-13, 21-16.

The Indian star was among three other athletes who tested positive Tuesday but were allowed to play because their infections were last year.

Busanan, ranked 12th in women s singles, will go up against Denmark s Mia Blichfeldt in the quarterfinals.

Her teammate Ratchanok Intanon -- arguably Thailand s greatest hope in winning the Open -- also cruised to an expected victory Thursday evening in her match against Germany s Yvonne Li 21-11, 21-15.

The Thai, who became women s world champion in 2013, will be more evenly matched in the next round against South Korea s An Se-young.

Meanwhile, Denmark s fourth seed Viktor Axelsen dominated in court against Thailand s Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-13, 21-17, and will go up against Indonesia s Jonatan Christie, ranked seventh in men s singles.

The Thailand Open is the first of three consecutive tournaments played in strict bio-secure conditions and behind closed doors in Bangkok, culminating in the World Tour Finals from January 27.

Egyptian mixed doubles player Adham Hatem Elgamal was withdrawn on Monday and a German coach and French staff member are under hospital observation after testing positive at badminton s restart tournament.

But the BWF Thursday cleared all other players to continue, with Thailand s badminton chief promising "to make this event a success".