French and South Korean Players Fully Book Semi-final Spots.

Top seed and fourth seed Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul of France won their quarter-final matches in two sets. So did seventh seed Chung Hong who  advanced to the semi-final after his countryman  Kim Jae Hwan retired with twisted right ankle at  6-3 5-5.

Only third seed Lim Yong-kyu was taken to three sets before he finally subdued  the hot tempered Thai No 1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul  2-6 6-3 6-4.

Sadio Doumbia

The world No 257 Doumbia from Toulouse, winner of two ITF Futures and one ATP Challenger used his superior

game to stem the comeback trail of Pol Wattanakul 7-5 7-5. Fellow Frenchman Reboul, 21, saved a set point at 4-5 in the second set to beat sixth seed Cho Min Hyeok of South Korea 7-5 7-6 (7-2).

“I was the more aggressive player today which was the key. I also went to the net during the tough moment and I served very well,” said the 626^th ranked player who will line up today’s semi-final clash against Chung.

“I saw him play a bit before my match. He is a lefty and solid player. I hope I will have a good match and win,” added the Reboul who is poised to move beyond the semi-final stage for the first time this year (in Tunisia, Algeria (twice) and back home in France).

“It’s my first time in Thailand. I love the weather, the people and the organization. Maybe that’s why I’m in the semi-finals and I hope to win the tournament,” said the bearded player from Toulouse.

Wishya who was showing impressive form since last week burst into anger on court several times after he disagreed with several calls from the umpire. The country’s top player was even deducted a point for ball abuse.

“I knew what I did was wrong but the umpire made several mistakes. The balls were clearly out. I really was pushed to the limit and I appologised for what I have done,” said the Wishya.

Lim who won the Asian Games doubles gold medal at home in 2014 later stamped his authority over Wishaya as he later teamed up with Lee Jea Moon to beat the Thai and Kittipong Wachiramanowong 6-3 6-2 in the doubles semi-finals.

However Thailand still has the last hope to depend on in the men’s doubles final after Pruchya Isarow and Chayanon Kaewsuto upset third seed Noh Sang-Woo and Seol Jae-Min of South Korea 6-3 6-4.

The final berth here was a change of luck for the national Davis Cup player who had a car accident 15 days ago that result in a cut on his right eyebrow and a pain on the neck.

“I was sleeping in my car when a van hit mine. Luckily the injury was not serious enough to stop me from playing. I will try my best to win,” said Pruchya.