The celebration said it all.

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This is what it means to Pornpawee Chochuwong. It means everything! shorts badminton BWF

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Never mind that Carolina Marin was below her best recovering from a neck sprain – the 21-19 21-16 win in the KFF Singapore Open 2024 quarterfinals still meant a great deal to Pornpawee Chochuwong. For it was her first – and second overall in 11 meetings – over the Spaniard since the 2020 Spain Masters final.

The result snaps Marin’s 15-match winning run which started in the All England first round in March.

“It’s always a pleasure playing Carolina, she’s an Olympic champion,” said the 26-year-old Thai. “Four years ago, I won in her hometown. Maybe she was under pressure then, but today I could win because I was confident and played well.”

On her post-match glee, Chochuwong added: “I was just happy and enjoyed the moment. I need to calm down now, I have another match tomorrow.”

Chochuwong’s victory comes hot on the heels of the ousting of another seeded player – Han Yue (sixth) – in the second round, which also marked her first win over the Chinese in four years, and second in nine clashes.

In the semis, Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei awaits the world No.20. Again, a player she has only beaten once, and way back in 2018. Their head-to-head stands at 12-1.

Can Chochuwong continue the pattern she’s established at the Singapore Indoor Stadium?

“I won’t think about anything, just run, fight, do what I have to do on court. Start from zero and fight.”

The match against Chen is Chochuwong’s biggest semifinal since the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals in December 2021. It’s also her first at the Super 750 level.

→ Results (Quarterfinals)

→ Order of play (Semifinals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“This doesn’t mean I will win (if we meet) in Paris. I still must practice everyday and do my best.” – Chen after ending a run of four straight defeats to Akane Yamaguchi

“The plan was to stay patient while taking the initiative, which is why at the start I played quite well. After that, I tried to take the initiative but wasn’t patient. Then I was patient but didn’t take the initiative.” – Loh Kean Yew on his loss to Li Shi Feng

“He’s been playing well recently. I think he’s an up-and-coming, great talent. Strong defence and a good stable player, so I came into this match really focused. I’m happy I played well and won.” – Viktor Axelsen praising beaten opponent Leong Jun Hao

“After so long we are giving the top pairs good matches. Happy with the performance and playing in front of this crowd, it’s awesome.” – Gayatri Gopichand Pullela after she and Treesa Jolly defeated a second seeded pair