Ratchanok wins her comeback match at All England
Fifth seed Ratchanok Intanon made a solid comeback from a three-month-injury break as she toppled Japanese old foe Sayaka Sato 21-14 21-19 in just 35 minutes in the All England Open in Birmingham on Wednesday.
The world No 8 who competed in her last event in Dubai last December showed no sign of rusts despite the long break as she extended her lifetime record against the world No 19 to six wins against two defeats.
She will play either Chueng NGan Yi of China or Hsu Ya Ching of Taiwan in round two.
However Thai No 3 Nitchaon Jindapol was stopped only in the first round, losing to top seed and world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan 18-21 14-21.
In the men’s singles action, Thai No 1 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk beat world No 13 Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus 21-15 21-18 in 43 minutes. The left-handed Thai is now up 3-2 in the head-to-head record against the Dane.
In men’s doubles, Bodin Isara and Nipitphon Phuangphuapet also advanced following a 21-14 21-13 victory over Jacco Arfends and Ruben Jille of France.
In the mixed doubles, top pair Zheng Siwei and Chen Qingchen of China tamed Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-10 21-15.
In late night results, Thai No 2 Busanan Ongbamrungphan lost to Chen Yufei of China 21 -18 15-21 11-21. The Chinese turned the favour back to the Thai whom just beat her 2-1 games in the last month’s Thailand Masters.
In women’s doubles, Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai lost to third seeded Jung Hyung Eun and Shin Seung Chan of South Korea 19-21 19-21. Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were beaten by Vivian Hoo and Khe Wei Woon of Malaysia 18-21 21-177 21-17
In mixed doubles, Bodin Isara and Savitree Amitrapai went down to German Mark Lamsfuss and Isabel Herttrich 18-21 21-17 16-21.
