Ratchanok wins India Open
Sensation Ratchanok Intanon pulled off a scintillating straight-game 21-17 21-18 victory over London Olympic champion Li Xuerui from China in the women’s final showdown of the US$300,000 Yonex Sunrise India Open World Superseries at the Siri Fort Indoor S
Current world No.5 and fourth seeded Ratchanok made much of the impact in 2013 following her historic win over Li Xuerui in the thrilling showdown of the BWF World Championships. Ratchanok repeated the similar feat over the same rival last year when she stunned the Chinese ace in hard-fought three games to seal the Asian Championships victory.
Against world No.2 and third-seeded Li in the final clash of the India Open on Sunday, Ratchanok snatched the first-game win 21-17 and still took command in the second game to lead 7-1. The Chinese maintained her concentration and hit back gallantly with powerful forehead smashes to narrow the gap 17-15 and 20-16. Despite a strong challenge from Li, Ratchanok allowed the formidable Chinese two more points to capture the set 21-18, the match and the championship.
It was Ratchanok’s second title this year. In February, she already reigned supreme in the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters after powering past Chinese Sun Yu in the final clash.
