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Published on December 12, 2007

Men's singles top-seed Danai Udomchoke, with the team gold already in his pocket, survived a set point against Filipino Frederick Taino before winning 6-2 7-6 (8-6).

"I played a good first set but he raised the percentage of his first serves in the second. In the tie-break I kept it tight to avoid a third set,'' said the two-time singles gold medallist (in 2001 and 2003).

Danai was a point away from the third set with Taino serving at 6-5 in the tie-break. But he escaped with a fine passing shot and then closed the match.

Next up for the top seed is Indonesia's Albert Sie, whom the Thai defeated 6-1 6-3 in the team final on Sunday.

"As I've beaten him before, I'm quite confident. I have got past the tough match and now am expected to reach the final,'' Danai said.

However, Weerapat went down to Cambodian dark-horse Nysan Tan 4-6 5-7. The France-based Nysan utilised his big serve and powerful baseline game to upset the Thai to set up a clash with second-seed Cecil Mamitt of the Philippines.

Among the women, both Nudnida Luangnam and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn sailed into the semi-finals in effortless fashion.

Nudnida dropped just a game to crush Vietnam's Thuy Vie nguyen 6-0 6-1 while Noppawan blanked Filipino Dianne Matias 6-0 6-0.

But the real test awaits them in the semi-finals as Nudnida takes on veteran Romana Tedjakusuma and Noppawan plays Sandy Gumulya.

In the team final, Romana had got the better of second-seed Nudnida in three tough sets. Nudnida was troubled by the all-round play of the Indonesian who kept the Thai off balance with high balls.

"She really gave me a tough time on that day. She kept hitting the high balls and never missed,'' said the world No 331 from Sukothai who will benefit from the guidance of Tamarine Tanasugarn.

"I need to get to the ball earlier and be more aggressive. I cannot let my opponent play her game," Nudnida said.

SEA Games debutante Noppawan, a 16-year-old from Chiang Mai, lost to Gumulya 4-6 6-4 2-6 in their only previous encounter in Semarang in 2006.

In the mixed-doubles quarter-final, Thais Napaporn Tongsalee and Sanchai Ratiwatana beat Tan and Soph-any Yi of Cambodia 6-2 6-0.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation