VietNamNet Bridge – Pham Cao Cuong of Vietnam made a big impression at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters badminton tournament, beating No 5 seed Ygor Coelho of Brazil in the men’s singles, first round, yesterday in Bangkok.

Pham Cao Cuong won the first round match at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters badminton tournament on Wednesday in Bangkok. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

Cuong was not expected to put up much fight against Coelho, as he has not yet won any international title while his rival, world No 31, is the defending champion of the Pan American Championships.

Coelho started better in the first set as he led 10-7 but he let Cuong come from behind and eventually win 21-15. The second set was even for both sides until 12-12. Cuong again took crucial points and won 21-17. He finished the match after only 29 minutes.

He will next play Mustofa Ihsan of Indonesia who is world No 47.

Nguyen Tien Minh, the Vietnamese No 1, also bagged a 21-8, 20-22, 21-8 win over Jason Anthony Ho-shue of Canada in another match. Minh, who is seeded No 55 in the world will face Suppanyu Avihingsanon, No 46, of the hosts in the second round.

In the men’s doubles, Duong Bao Duc and Bao Minh were stopped after losing 12-21, 12-21 to Hong Kong’s Chan Tzs Kit and Chung Yonny.

The Thai masters, from January 9-14, offers a prize of US$150,000 for winning players. 

Source: VNS