In the morning session yesterday Kamolthip and Jarunee suffered a loss to Japan B's Shinako Tanaka and Eiko Koizumi but later thrashed their countrywomen 21-7 21-17 in an all-Thai match.

SEA Games silver medallists Yupa Phukrongploy and Usa Tenpaksee also lost to Japanese players in the morning session yesterday, going down to Chiaki Kusuhara and Satoko Urata of Japan A. They then advanced to the semi-finals with a 21-14 21-18 victory over Australian pair Joanna Healy and Heike Jensen.

In today's semi-finals, Kamol-thip and Jarunee face Japan A, while Yupa and Usa meet Japan B.

"We have played Japan A many times and we know each other's tactics," said Jarunee. "However, we have not played them for about six months and they have competed in many international events. I don't dare say we will win, but we will do our best."

Meanwhile, SEA Games bronze medallists Sonthi Bun-rueng and Borworn Yungthin, rising stars Sitthichai Sangkha-chot and Artit Wongtorn and veterans Taweep Thong-kamnerd and Montri Chaemnoi crashing out yesterday in the quarter-finals.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation

Phattalung