Heroics take toll on Thai shuttle star Ratchanok

Ratchanok, fresh from capturing a historic women’s singles crown in the Thailand Open, injured the little toe of her right foot at the recent Sudirman Cup, where she helped Thailand take a best-ever third place.

World No 5 and fifth seed Ratchanok was due to take on Indonesian Hera Desi in her first round yesterday.

“Ratchanok injured her toe at the Sudirman Cup in Kuala Lumpur. She played through the pain and continued to fight for the country. After the tournament, she returned home for physiotherapy and further treatment,” Kamala Thongkorn, the manager of Ratchanok’s club Banthongyord, told The Nation yesterday.

“Ratchanok was ordered by a doctor to rest and let the injury heal by itself. The Thailand Open was too good to miss because it was a matter of prestige, although the injury looked a bit more serious.

“The Thai No 1 is due to return today for further treatment at Vichaivej Hospital in Omnoi,” added Kamala.

“If her injury heals in time, Ratchanok will take part in the Singapore Open next week, but if she still has pain she will withdraw from that tournament and turn her attention to the BWF World Championships in Guangzhou, China, this August.”

Yesterday’s opening action of the Indonesia Open saw rising Thai star Sapsiree Taerattanachai overwhelmed by top seed and world No 1 Li Xuerui of China. The Chinese Olympic champion cruised into the second round with a 21-12 21-13 win.

Fellow Thai Nichaon Jindapon also failed to make her mark after being sent packing 21-12 21-11 by German fourth seed Juliane Schenk, while Porntip Buranaprasertsuk went down to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi 21-9 21-15. Busanan Ongbumrungpan, who clinched silver at the Thailand Open, was due to take on Chinese world No 8 Wang Shixian later yesterday.

In the men’s singles, world No 7 Boonsak Ponsana, runner-up at the Thailand Open, is the only Thai in the main draw. The eighth seed opens his campaign against Dane Viktor Axelsen today.