Gutsy Yamaguchi outlasts Ratchanok for German Open title
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Two-time defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan survived a championship point to dash the hope of Ratchanok Intanon to win the German Open for the third time following a nail-biting final on Sunday.
The world No 4 used her stunning chases of the shots to beat the Thai 21-16 14-21 25-23 in 70 minutes. The Japanese held off a match point at 21-22 before she went on to accomplish a hat-trick win.
Ratchanok has been in two finals this year. She won her previous final in the Malaysia Masters in January.
The Thai will next enter the All England tournament where she will face Chen Xiaoxin of China in the first round next week.
