Mongkhon Bunsun from Thailand overcame home hope Alex Santamaria Carrasco 21-5 21-3 to top SL3 men’s singles Group G and secure his ticket to the round of 16.

A fierce competitor, rising talent Bunsun revealed the key to his game.

“It’s all about being patient,” said the 27-year-old. “I get very excited by competing but it’s important to stay calm and composed. My confidence has grown too over the years and that is helping me on court. I’m a self motivator, I say to myself ‘you can do this’. I’m always wanting to do my best.”

Bunsun, runner-up at the competition in 2021, will look to capitalise on his confidence level in his next match against Pedro Pablo De Vinatea. If he passes that test, he could meet Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat in the quarterfinals.

Also top was Miles Krajewski (SH6) in Group D. The American secured a straight games victory over Ivan Segura Escobar, 21-5 21-15, to confirm his supremacy.

“It’s great to win my group,” said the teenager, who never did so at two previous appearances. “I’m excited about the next stage.

“Escobar is a good player but the conditions were tricky and I kept him moving around, placing the shuttles in all four corners. The shuttles felt faster in the second game and that affected us both.”

The 17-year-old shared what he has been working on in the past year.

“I’ve been committing my time to footwork drills and speed. I’ve been running a lot to improve my speed. I usually run for about 3km and I’ve been working with my coach on shuttle placement at all four corners.”

Krajewski receives a second round bye but has Man Kai Chu and Hector Jesus Salva Tunque for company in his quarter of the draw.

→ Results (Day 3)

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