Ratchanok WORLD NO 1

THAI BADMINTON sensation Ratchanok Intanon made the country proud yesterday when she unofficially claimed the world No 1 spot following a magnificent come-from-behind victory over title-holder Sun Yu.
She is the first Thai badminton player to become world number one. The world body governing the sport is due to announce world rankings on Thursday.It was the third consecutive victory for Ratchanok, affectionately called “Nong May” by fans, in the past three weeks of the World Superseries.
In the heart-pounding final showdown of the OUE Singapore Open yesterday, world No 2 and third seed Ratchanok achieved a dramatic 18-21 21-11 21-14 win over China's Sun Yu. Ratchanok is the second Thai in history to win this top-flight competition. Boonsak Ponsana was the first Thai to clinch the men’s singles crown in the Singapore Open in 2007, repeating the feat in 2012.
Ratchanok’s win yesterday also shattered Chinese domination of the Singapore event. Wang Yihan had won the 2013 and 2014 tournaments, with Sun Yu taking the 2015 title.
Ratchanok, 21, from Yasothon, turned professional in 2007. At 18, she stunned London Olympic gold medallist Li Xuerui to reign supreme in the 2013 World Championships following her resounding successes.
The young Thai star has set herself two new goals – to become the world’s No 1 and to win an historic gold medal in the Rio Olympic Games.
Her first goal has already become reality after she took the Singapore Open title yesterday, her fourth major title of the year to claim the unofficial Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s world No 1 ranking. With Ratchanok’s first goal accomplished, all eyes will now be on the Thai sensation to see if she can make another statement – by winning Thailand’s first Olympic badminton gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.
“I think I played up to my standard. After I went down in the first game, my coach Phattapol [Ngernsrisuk] suggested that I focus on long rallies so that Sun Yu would become exhausted and more prone to unforced mistakes,” she said yesterday.
“Winning the second game drastically boosted my morale. I played with more confidence in the decider. Although the Chinese stayed hot on my heels at the near end of the game, I was quite certain that I could make it. I felt no pressure at all and I played my game. That’s what counts for the win.
“I would like to thank all the Thai fans who supported me,” the confident young star said. She is the first singles badminton player to win three Superseries titles in three consecutive weeks.
In February, Ratchanok delighted home fans by winning the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters at the Nimibutr Gymnasium, while last month her remarkable run continued as she reigned supreme in the India Open World Superseries, the Malaysia Open World Superseries Premier and the Singapore World Superseries.
“Today, I just wanted to play a relaxed match. My ultimate target of being the world No 1 has already been accomplished. Now, I’m looking forward to my Olympic dreams. I want to win a gold medal for Thailand. With the full support of Thai people, I will never give up. I will try to keep myself fit physically and mentally, and now I have only three tournaments to compete in ahead of the Olympics. I hope to do my best in every tournament I take part in, particularly the Asian Championships, at which I will be back to defend my crown. Despite the win in Singapore, I think I still have many things to learn and to improve my form ahead of the Rio Games.
“It’s not the main reason that I won today but I badly needed my father to give me the green light to associate with my boyfriend Tawan [Pannawit Thongn-uam]. I just tried to do my best for the country. However, I’m happy that from now on, we have the green light to associate and can learn about each other,” Ratchanok said.
“After this, I would like to take a long rest. I feel exhausted after contesting continuous competitions. The first meal I want to have upon my return to Thailand is somtam [papaya salad] and I have to make it myself,” the joyful player said.
Shortly after Ratchanok’s exceptional win yesterday, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkam-nerd said in an interview that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha had praised Ratchanok’s determined efforts to move to the top of the world rankings.
“The prime minister has expressed great praise and sincere appreciation for Ratchanok’s dazzling performances. He has asked Thai people from all walks of life to throw their full support behind the Thai shuttlers to fulfil their Olympic dreams in Rio de Janeiro. More importantly, he asked Thais to support the shuttlers with love and not to put pressure on them,” Sansern said.
“He also praised all Thai shuttlers who have to work hard in an attempt to qualify for the Rio Games. He wished everyone success for the Games, and Boonsak in particular, as he will be competing in his fifth Olympics. He is a good player and young talent has been following his successful footsteps,” he added.

Ratchanok and other Thai shuttlers who took part in the Singapore Open are due to arrive at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport before noon today, on Air Asia flight FD 360.