Ratchanok storms into final in New Zealand
Top seed and world No 9 Ratchanok Intanon reached her third final of the year after she tamed Indonesian Hanna Ramadini 21-13 21-17 In the SKYCITY New Zealand Open in Auckland yesterday.
The former world No 1, in a final tune-up before the World Championships in Glasgow later this month, posted a comfortable win over the 40th ranked opponent in just 44 minutes.
“It was a good match for me although there were some points that I rushed and gave her free points,” said the former world No 1, the only national player in actions this week.
The 22-year-old Ratchanok who decided to skip the SEA Games which will coincides with the Championships has reached three finals this year including the All England Open in February and the July’s Thailand Open where celebrated her first title in a year since the Singapore Open in 2016.
Ratchanok now eyes on winning her 14th career title as she takes on 19-year-old Japanese Saena Kawakami who upset Indonesian second seed Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia 21-12 17-21 21-17. Kawakami, No 29 in the world, was the champion in 2015.
“I’ve never played Kawakami before but I will give my best out there to win the title on my way back to Thailand for the fans.”
