Ratchanok, Sapsiree, and Boonsak in Thai line-up for Sudirman semis

While Korea will be fielding the same line-up for the Sudirman Cup semi-final today as they did in their 5-0 round robin victory over Thailand earlier this week, Boonsak Ponsana and Ratchanok Intanon will replace Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and Nichaon Jindapon, respectively, and 21-year-old Sapsiree Taerattanachai (pictured) will have her first outing of the week for the Southeast Asian challengers.

Ko Sung Hyun, Kim Ha Na, and Saralee Thoungthongkam will all be doing double duty, should the tie go the full distance.  Ponsana, Thailand’s top men’s singles shuttler, has not played since edging world #6 Hu Yun in his team’s first round robin tie with Hong Kong.

Thailand is playing in the Sudirman Cup semi-finals for the first time in the event’s history while Korea is now the only team apart from China that has reached the semis for the 13th straight occasion.  Indonesia’s similar streak was chopped off at 12 when they lost in the quarter-final stage to China on Thursday.  The first semi-final tie begins at noon today, Kuala Lumpur time.

Sudirman Cup Semi-final 1

Korea vs. Thailand
XD: Ko Sung Hyun / Kim Ha Na (KOR) vs. Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA)
MS: Lee Dong Keun (KOR) vs. Boonsak Ponsana (THA)
MD: Ko Sung Hyun / Lee Yong Dae (KOR) vs. Maneepong Jongjit / Nipitphon Puangpuapech (THA)
WS: Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) vs. Ratchanok Intanon (THA)
WD: Jung Kyung Eun / Kim Ha Na (KOR) vs. Saralee Thoungthongkam / Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA)