FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

May crowned Indian queen

May crowned Indian queen

Ratchanok pummels world No 7 to make history in Delhi

WORLD No 8 Ratchanok Intanon toppled arch-rival He Bingjiao of China 21-15 21-14 in the final to become the first player to lift a hattrick of India Open badminton crowns in New Delhi yesterday.

The 24-year-old Thai went into the final on a four-match losing streak against the Chinese left-hander but quickly took control in a bid to add to her titles here in 2013 and 2016.

“I’m happy to finally end my poor record against her,” said Ratchanok, in her third final of the season after winning the Malaysian Masters in January and losing the German Open final in three games to Akane Yamaguchi in early March.

“I’m was inspired to play well as I didn’t want to keep losing to the same player. Winning today really boosts my confidence,” said Ratchanok, who took her tally of titles to 19. 

The Ratchanok-Bingjiao match was a battle of two former world champions, with the Thai winning in 2013 and the Chinese last year. But unlike their four previous encounters, it was the Thai who took full command on Sunday.

A sluggish start and poor shot selection saw Ratchanok drop behind 6-9. But she raised the level of her game to fight back aggressively, forcing a string of errors from the world No 7 Chinese.

Ratchanok surged ahead to 17-15 and secured the first game point when the Chinese hit long at 15-20. Ratchanok seized the chance in the next rally to wrap up the game as Bingjiao buried her shot in the net.

The second game saw Ratchanok take charge, using the full gamut of her armoury to jump to a 13-7 lead. The outgunned Chinese had no answer to the onslaught and began being picked apart by clever angles and varied shot speed from the Thai side of the net.

Ratchanok finally unleashed a forehand down-the-line smash to set up championship point at 20-12. Bingjiao briefly resisted before the Thai stepped up the pace again to end the match.

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