Ratchanok’s revenge is sweet
Ratchanok Intanon gained sweet revenge over world No 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan as she overcame a second-set lapse to win their semi-final match 21-15 16-21 21-19 at the Malaysian Masters near Kuala Lumpur.
The world No 5 Thai lost to her arch-rival from Japan in the China Open and Dubai Super Series Finals last November and December but yesterday put up a great fight to return the favour in one hour and 10 minutes.
Playing her first event of the season, Ratchanok rallied from behind at the start to take a 19-15 lead using her fast attacking game to keep her opponent off balance.
She reached her first game point with a clever shot for 20-15 and closed out the opener with an impressive forehand.
In the second game, Ratchanok stayed in control with persistent and rapid play to lead 11-9 at the intermission and after exchanging leads, the Japanese mixed up the pace and intensified her attack to win six straight points and take the second game 21-16.
Yamaguchi carried her momentum into the decisive game and again led during the interval, 11-8.
The contest turned topsy-turvy from then on with the Thai going up at 18-16 first before the Japanese gained the upper-hand at 19-18.
Ratchanok fought back for 19-all, smashed a winner to set up match point at 20-19 and the match ended with the Japanese spraying a shot long.
With the win, Ratchanok narrowed down her head-to-head deficit with the Japanese to 8-10 and moved into her first final since she beat Yamaguchi for the Denisa Denmark Open last October.
In the final, she will take on world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan, who survived four match points before edging out fourth-seeded Carolina Marin of Spain 12-21 21-15 23-21.
Ratchanok leads their head-to-head 10-9.
