Ek Chamroeun has progressed to the semifinals of the U18 boy’s singles at the 2011 Cham Prasidh Cup tournament. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Seang Mao got off to an impressive 6-1, 6-1 win over Neang Thearith in the first round of the Men’s A singles, the blue riband event of the 2011 Cham Prasidh Cup national ranking tennis tournament at the National Training Centre.

Top seeded Bun Kenny and second seeded Roy Hobbs of Singapore are yet to get on court as the 16-player event kicked off on a sedate note yesterday after two days of interruptions by the rain.

In another first round encounter, Sok Sambath put it across Mean Savan 6-4, 6-1.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s B category, Thun Thola had no qualms about dealing with 65-year-old Yi Sarun 6-1, 6-3 on his way to the quarterfinals. In the same section, Rin Sophearong took the first set 6-3 in a second round encounter before his rival, Ey Sana, retired from the contest.

The rain-delayed Group B decider in the Boys U18 singles competition was wrapped up in double quick time by Ek Chamroeun. When heavy rain stopped play on Tuesday afternoon, Ek Chamroeun led Orn Sambath 4-1 in the third set after the two had shared the first two.

When play resumed yesterday morning, Ek Chamroeun was in no mood to relent and polished off the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. He now meets Long Samneang in the semifinals while Kan Sophon takes on Orn Sambath for a place in the final.