Top seeds and world number 11 Khunakorn and Saralee looked sharper than ever in a semi-final thriller against Indonesians Tri Kusharjanto and Emma Ermawati yesterday. The Thai pair were aggressive from the start as Saralee played very close to the net, puncturing the Indonesian defence with deadly smashes. Taking a commanding 8-3 lead in the first game, the Thais shone with Khunakorn producing effective sideline drop shots and Saralee smashing devastatingly. Their rivals responded with impressive retrieves, but still had no answer to the Thais' mighty attack. Thailand clinched the hard-fought first game 11-7.

In the second game Emma seemed to run out of stamina, making unusual unforced errors. Hard-hitting Khunakorn seized the opportunity, penetrating his rivals' defence with fierce attacks. After a few fine smashes, the Thais moved ahead 10-2 in the second game.

Thailand then went on to claim the second game 11-2 and the match.

In today's final Khunakorn and Saralee challenge world champions Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China, who yesterday outclassed compatriots Wang Wei and Zhao Tingting 11-4 11-3.

"I'm very glad not to let the Thai supporters down," Khunakorn said after yesterday's match. "We have played the Indonesians a few times and we always lost to them. Tri partnered Timur [Minarti] to win the silver medal in the Sydney Olympic Games. To play him is, therefore, not an easy job. However, we tried to read their game and smashed aggressively to his off-form partner Emma. It worked pretty well.

"However, a big thumbs up should go to Saralee. She played really good tactically. Against the Chinese in the final we have to play more carefully. We have played them several times and were always beaten.

"However, anything can happen. I will try my best. To beat them in the final would be one of our greatest moments. I look forward to such a chance."

In the women's doubles quarter-finals yesterday, Saralee partnered Sathinee Chankrajangwong to crush Taiwan's Chen Wan Ju and Cheng Shao Chieh 11-1 11-4. The Chinese Taipeichampions now take on unseeded Zhong Jiewen and Yang Wei of China in today's semi-finals. The Chinese pair routed Indonesians Vita Marissa and Emma Ermawati 11-2 11-6.

Title-holder and world champions Gao Ling and Huang Sui earlier did not break a sweat, thrashing Japan's Kumiko Ogura and Reiko Shiota in a totally one-sided affair 11-2 11-0 to play Wei Yili and Zhao Tingting in the other all-Chinese semi-final.

Leading local men's duo Pramote Theerawiwat and Thessana Phanvissawat made the grade after eliminating Singaporeans Patrick Lau Kim Pong and Hendri Kurniawan Saputra 15-7 15-8. In today's semi-finals the Thais take on Indonesians Chandra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, who stunned Asian Games gold medallists Lee Dong Soo and Yoo Yong Sung of South Korea 15-12 15-4.

There will be a China-Indonesia battle in the men's singles semi-finals, with top-seed and defending champion Xia Xuanze meeting Indonesian star Taufik Hidayat, the Asian Games gold medallist who yesterday powered past Singaporean Ronald Susilo 15-5 15-12. The other semi-final sees second seed and world number one Chen Hong battle it out with Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong