Ratchanok runs into hot Japanese in Hong Kong final
Badminton world No 8 Ratchanok Intanon’s hopes of claiming her second title this year crumbled under pressure from 2017 world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the Hong Kong Open final on Sunday.
Ratchanok, who came into the final with a 4-4 record against the Japanese, put up a great fight but succumbed to a consistently high-quality opponent who prevailed 21-19 24-22.
The Thai No 1 captured her only title so far this year at the Malaysia Masters in January. For Okuhara, this was her third crown in 2018 following wins at the Korea Open and Thailand Open. – The Nation
