Ratchanok boosted by New Zealand Open title

 The Thai ace outlasted an inspired Saena Kawakami of Japan 21-14 16-21 21-15 in 65 minutes to capture her 14th career title. The world No 9 entered the World Grand Prix event as a warm-up for the World Championships, which starts in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 21.Ratchanok started sluggishly in the first and third games before using her experience to beat the teenager, who won the title here in 2015.

“Winning today has given me a psychological boost and I will try to win the world title back for the Thai fans,” said Ratchanok after winning her second World Grand Prix Gold this year. Her first was at the Thailand Open in Bangkok a month ago. 

The Thai who set the record as the youngest world champion at 18 in 2013 was quick to acknowledge the support of two dozen Thai fans in Auckland. “I had to thank the fans, who live here in New Zealand and those who have come from faraway places to cheer me on. This is my first visit to this country and I feel so welcome,” said Ratchanok.

Thai No 1 men’s singles player Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and Ratchanok are the only representatives from Thailand in the World Championships as the rest of the national players will be playing in the SEA Games to be held in Malaysia. 

In the men’s singles final, the 88th-ranked Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong rallied from 17-20 in the final game to beat world No 12 Wang Tzu Wei of Taiwan 11-21 21-15 22-20 for his maiden Grand Prix Gold title. In the women’s doubles, top pair Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei of Malaysia needed an hour and 38 minutes to subdue Japan’s Ayako Sakuramoto and Yukiko Takahata 18-21 21-16 21-19.

Indonesia’s Ronald Ronald and Annisa Saufika lifted the mixed doubles title, defeating Sawan Serasinghe and Setyana Mapasa of Australia 21-19 21-14. Top seeds Chen Hung Ling and Wang Chi-Lin won the men’s doubles title with a 21-16 21-18 win over second seeds Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi of Malaysia 21-16 21-18.