Ratchanok likely to be relegated to world No.2
[BADMINTON] Ratchanok Intanon’s world No.1 status is likely to be shortlived following the shock 21-17 16-21 17-21 defeat of the defending champion to unseeded Japanese Sayaka Sato which forced the fourth-seeded Thai to crash out from the second
Ratchanok has made much of the impact early this month when the 21-year-old from Yasothon came up with exceptional performances to capture three World Superseries tournaments in succession including the Malaysia Open and the Singapore Open in incredible three weeks. The superb form has moved Ratchanok atop the BWF world rankings on April 21.
However, her remarkable run was stopped by world No.14 Sayaka Sato, whose best performance this year was in the Syed Modi International Championships in India, where she picked up silver medal.
The early exit from the Asian meet, which she stunned the London Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui in the final showdown to reign supreme last year, is likely to see Ratchanok relegated to No.2 in the BWF world rankings when the world’s badminton-governing body will announce its weekly world rankings updates of global shuttlers next Thursday on May 5. Carolina Marin from Spain, current and successive two-time world champion and current world No.2, is expected to reclaim her top spot in the BWF world rankings.
Meanwhile, all the Thai singles players were eliminated from this prestigious tournament after going down to much stronger rivals in the Thursday’s second round. Nichaon Jindapol lost 14-21 18-21 to fifth seeded Indian Saina Nehwal in the women’s event, with former Thailand Open champion Boonsak Ponsana was beaten by Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto 17-21 9-21 in the men’s competition.
Two Thai pairings advanced to the Friday’s quarter-finals, with world No.17 women’s duo of Puttita Supajirakul/Sapsiree Taerattanachai powering past Indonesians Della Dest Haris/Rosyita Ek Putri Sari 21-18 21-16 to next face an uphill task against world No.1 and top seeds Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Taakahashi of Japan, who have already captured several titles this year including the All England, India Open and Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold.
Team-mates Savitree Amitrapai/Pacharapun Chochuwong failed to make their mark to go down to Japanese Naoko Fukuman/Kurami Yonao 10-21 18-21 on Thursday.
Advancing in the mixed doubles event were Bodin Issara/Savitree Amitrapai, world No.17 and silver medallists at this year’s Swiss Open. The Thai pairing were tied at 9-9 in the first game against third seeds Liu Cheng/Bao Yixin before the Chinese duo decided not to continue the contest. Bodin/Savitree next go up against Koreans Shin Bae Cheol/Chae Yoo Jung, world No.10 and silver medallists at this year's Germany Open.
Team-mates Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai succumbed 13-21 16-21 defeat to Chinese Li Kai/Huang Yaqiong on Thursday.
