Ratchanok out to defend Thai pride

World No 5 Ratchanok Intanon will be supercharged by the desire to win her home title when she steps on to the court in the SCG Thailand Open at the Nimibutr National Stadium today.

After winning a maiden title win at the Indian Open, as well as two runners-up finishes at the All England Championships and Swiss Open this season, the teenage Thai No 1 is brimming with confidence for an event where she is seeded second behind world No 2 and defending champion Saina Nehwal. 

“I have been looking forward to the Thailand Open for months. Fans want to see me do well here. The tournament is a big event and winning in front of the home fans would be very special,” said the 18-year-old.

Ratchanok was beaten in last year’s nail-biting final by India’s Nehwal, but hopes to go one better this time out despite an injury to her right ankle that has been bothering her since the Sudirman Cup in Kuala Lumpur last month.

“I’m feeling a lot better now but I still have to be careful about my movements. It doesn’t bother me as much, and I’m quite confident with the way I’m playing,” said Ratchanok, who takes on Indonesia’s Maria Febe Kusumastuti in the first round today.

With the absence of powerful Chinese team, who are committed to playing in their National Games, the doors have been flung open to local players. Eight were handed direct entry to the main draw. Third seed and world No 15 Porntip Buranaprasert, who reached the semi-final last year, faces PC Thulasi of India, while fifth seed and 2010 Youth Olympics gold medallist Sapsiree Taerattanachai meets Indonesia’s Yeni Asmarani.

Nehwal, who beat three Thais on her way to the final last year, will open her campaign against Taiwan’s Hung Shih-han.

On the men’s side, world No 7 and 2004 champion Boonsak Ponsana is seeded No 1 and will play his first-round match against Taiwan’s Chou Chu-han. Thai No 2 and third seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk will play against a qualifier.

Veteran mixed doubles duo Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthonkam, the top seeds and world No 6, will start their campaign against Indonesia’s Irfan Fadhilah and Weni Anggraini. Saralee, who surprised home fans by winning the women’s doubles along with young Narissapat Lam last year, is teaming up again with same partner. The fourth seeds and will play Russia’s Tatjana Bibik and Anastasia Chervaykova in round one.

In the men’s doubles, Maneepong Jongjit and new partner Nipitpong Puangpuapech, seeded sixth, will play Poland’s Adam Cwalina and Przemyslaw Wacha, while his ex-partner Bodin Issara will have Pakkawat Vilailak alongside him for a match against Britain’s Marcus Ellis and Paul Van Rietvelde.