The calm-looking Thai shuttler, Boonsak Ponsana, was not someone whom observers imagined might actually create the biggest upset so far in the tournament. Yet, in today’s match he did not fail to live up to his nickname: the Thai Superman. He put up a splendid fight on the court and beat the world No. 1 and one of the favorites for the title, Lin Dan, in three sets 21-17, 7-21, 23-21.

Serla Rusli, Badzine Correspondent live in Singapore. Photos : Badmintonphoto

From the start of the match, no one could predict who would come out as the semi-finalist, especially after Boonsak stole the first set from Lin Dan. He put up his best fight and was not intimidated by the fact that Lin had beaten him in their four previous encounters.

He maintained a slower pace in the game, playing close to the net and avoiding high clears. “I tried to attack whenever there was a chance, because he is an attacking player and I couldn’t let him control the pace” Boonsak explained.

After a thrilling match, which saw Lin Dan come back to one game all, then trail in the decider 18/14 before scoring 5 points and getting a first match point at 20/19, the Thai wouldn’t let go of such an opportunity. Boonsak saved this match point and then secured two match points before finally closing his hand on the ticket to the semi-final. When Lin Dan’s smash went wide, he jumped to accompany it and pointed his finger out to his coach while still in the air to express his joy. Once it was called out, Boonsak ran to the court side to hug his coach.

“It was a tough match today, and I’m really happy with my result,” Boonsak said, unable to hold his grin. “I think Lin Dan was not used to the condition of the court, and he may have been putting too much pressure on himself, while I had nothing to lose” Boonsak commented. “It’s probably the best victory of my life” said Ponsana

On his route to semifinal, Boonsak has beaten Alamsyah from Indonesia, Malaysia’s No. 2 shuttler Hafiz Hashim and finally Lin Dan from China.

He will now play an old friend of his, Ronald Susilo, whom he has beaten and lost to many times even if local press mainly remembered that it was the Thai who had put an end to Susilo’s dream in the Olympics, after the latter had beaten… Lin Dan in the first round…

Ronald Susilo in the Semifinal

Tomorrow, Boonsak’s opponent will then be the local hero Ronald. Susilo beat his compatriot Kendrick Lee. Ronald led Kendrick by quite a margin in the first set. Kendrick then fought back and won the second set but it was all Susilo’s in the decider for a final score of 21-13, 16-21, 21-10.

“I admit that my play slowed down in the second game. Kendrick was also fighting hard, which is why in the end he managed to win it. In the third set, Kendrick committed many unforced errors, and I tried to focus more on the game,” said the former Indonesian.

“I knew that Ronald is a better player than me. Therefore, I just tried my best today, taking one point at a time. Even though I lost, I’m still satisfied with the outcome of today’s match,” Kendrick said.

Saturday’s semi-final will be the eighth battle between Boonsak Ponsana and Ronald Susilo. The head-to-head position is now 5-2 for Boonsak. However, Ronald Susilo won the most recent match against Boonsak in the Malaysia Open Super Series 2007.

“Both of us are of the same standard, and tomorrow I will just try my best,” Boonsak said.

The semi-finals of the Aviva Singapore Open will start at 2 pm in Singapore Indoor Stadium. Boonsak versus Ronald will be the second last match of the day.


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