The main draw has started today at the TOYOTA GAZOO RACING Thailand Open 2023.
After the kick-off to the Asian leg last week with the Malaysia Masters, the TOYOTA GAZOO RACING Thailand Open 2023 started yesterday with an intense round of qualifications followed by the main draw today. While some big European names such as European champions Mark Lamsfuss/Isabel Lohau, Danes Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt, and Line Christophersen bid farewell to the tournament in Bangkok, there were remarkable victories from other European players to celebrate.
Carolina Marin, the reigning European champion, made her return after a brief break from the international stage and faced young talent from Thailand, Pitchamon Opatniputh. Having triumphed in that match, Marin now prepares to take on India's Ashmita Chaliha and a win against her would mean that there could be potential tough encounters against China's Wang Zhi Yi or India's Pusarla V. Sindhu in the quarterfinals.
In the doubles category, Danish pair Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje secured a thrilling three-game victory against Thailand's eighth-seeded duo, Supak Jomkoh and Supissara Paewsampran, 23-25, 21-11, 21-6. Another noteworthy performance came from sixth-seeded Dutch duo Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek, who swiftly advanced to the next round after defeating Canada's Ty Alexander Lindeman and Josephine Wu, 25-23 21-11. Up next, Tabeling and Piek will face Danes Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund, who secured a major first-round victory against England's Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith.
Meanwhile, Denmark's promising star Magnus Johannesen continued to impress with a remarkable win in the first round of this prestigious Super 500 tournament. Having defeated India's Sameer Verma 21-15 21-15, Johanessen showcased his skills in what’s only his second tournament of such high caliber. Another European men’s singles win is that of Frenchman Christo Popov, who secured a convincing victory against India's Sai Praneeth B., 21-14 21-16.
Matches are still ongoing, you can watch the TOYOTA GAZOO RACING Thailand open 2023
here.