Contestants are now in their third week in Bangkok and acclimatised to the conditions, and the action is expected to rev up a notch at the TOYOTA Thailand Open that begins tomorrow.

Most players at the YONEX Thailand Open last week spoke of the drift in the hall, but that is expected to be less of a factor in match outcomes this week.

Interesting Match-Ups

The draw for the TOYOTA Thailand Open has thrown up some interesting prospects in the first round. Last week’s mixed doubles runners-up Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti won’t have much time to ease into the draw, for they take on Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue, who offered plenty of resistance in Saturday’s semifinal.

Nor can Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, winners of the YONEX Thailand Open, expect much relief after Sunday’s exertions, for they face Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek in the opening round.

Women’s doubles winners Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu will know that if they can get through their opening test, against Puttita Supajirakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, it will be smoother sailing all the way until the semifinals, for there are no other strong contenders in their half.

Expect some fireworks in the opening round of men’s doubles, with show-stealers Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin taking on Danish stars Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen; Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge against second seeds Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan, and Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong against Lee Yong Dae/Kim Gi Jung.

In singles, HS Prannoy is pitted against Jonatan Christie, while his compatriot Saina Nehwal will be taking on home favourite Ratchanok Intanon. Another India-Thailand clash in women’s singles features Pusarla V Sindhu versus Busanan Ongbamrungphan.

Sunday’s singles winners Viktor Axelsen and Carolina Marin have opening assignments against Jason Anthony Ho-Shue and Qi Xuefei respectively.

Player Comfort

Off-court, there has been some relaxation of the COVID-19 protocols, enabling players some leeway in their movement without compromising the safety of the Green Zone quarantine bubble.

These relaxations include allowing players and coaches to visit their team members in their hotel rooms, allowing each team to dine together at the hotel restaurant at designated tables, and access outside the hotel for fresh air and the chance to run.

Teams will also have more dining options, as they will be able to order food from select vendors and restaurants, as well as supermarket items.

Matches to Look Out For (Round 1):

(Click here for order of play)

Singles:

HS Prannoy vs Jonatan Christie

Kantaphon Wangcharoen vs Ng Ka Long Angus

Ratchanok Intanon vs Saina Nehwal

Pusarla V Sindhu vs Busanan Ongbamrungphan

Doubles:

Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen vs Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin

Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu vs Puttita Supajirakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai

Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai vs Robin Tabeling/Selena Piek

Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti vs Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue