Shuttlers rejoice after historic trip to Sudirman Cup semi-finals

Runners-up earlier this year at the world’s richest mixed-team tournament, the US$1-million Axiata Cup, Thailand have now underlined their rising power in world badminton by clinching their first semi-final spot in 24 years at the prestigious Sudirman Cup. The previous edition, in Qingdao, China two years ago, saw Thai shuttlers crash out in the preliminary round.

Against Japan in Thursday’s knock-out quarter-finals, world No 6 mixed duo Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam needed just 36 minutes to draw first blood for Thailand with a 21-19 21-9 win over 87th-ranked Hirokatsu Hashimoto/Miyuki Maeda.

Japan’s world No 5 Kenichi Tago then hit back in the men’s singles rubber against the young, talented Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk with a 22-20 21-18 win. Then came a stunning performance from world No 57 men’s duo Maneepong Jongjit/Nipitphon Puangpuapech, who avenged their recent All England semi-finals loss to world No 4 Endo Hiroyuki/Kenichi Hayakawa by pulling off a scintillating 27-25 21-16 victory.

With their lead at 2-1, Thailand unsheathed their most powerful weapon – world No 5 Ratchanok Intanon – winner at the recent India Open Super Series and silver medallist at the All-England Championship.

The 18-year-old Ratchanok, still suffering niggling injuries to her thigh and right ankle, faced the woman who beat her at last month’s Asian Championships, world No 23 and Australian Open champion Sayaka Takahashi.

After battling to win the first game 21-19, the Thai teen faltered as her injuries began to take a toll on her and the Japanese fought back with a 21-9 win to level the match.

Thai hearts were pounding in the decider, with Ratchanok at 17-19 and just two points from losing the tie. But the teenager, famous for her never-say-die attitude, fought back to 19-19, before breaking her opponent’s resistance in the rallies for a 21-19 win that clinched the tie.

Ratchanok sank to her knees as team-mates, some in tears, ran to hug her and celebrate one of the greatest successes so far achieved by the Thai badminton team. It also sent a warning to their Southeast Asian rivals that the Thais will be an awesome proposition at December’s SEA Games in Myanmar.

Japan were a no-show for the “dead” women’s doubles rubber, giving Thailand the 3-1 win and their debut semi-finals berth.

Today’s semi-finals will see Thailand take on former three-time champions South Korea, who were 3-0 winners over Germany in Thursday’s quarter-finals, at 11am Bangkok time. In the other semi-final, Asian powerhouses China, after outclassing closest rivals Indonesia 3-2, will test their mettle against Denmark, vanquishers of Taiwan 3-0, at 5pm.