FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Chen triumphs as Ratchanok trips at final hurdle

Chen triumphs as Ratchanok trips at final hurdle

World No 4 Chen Yufei of China dashed Thai hope Ratchanok Intanon’s dream of winning the Toyota Thailand Open for a third time, winning the women’s singles final 22-20 21-18 at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday (August 4).

 

The 21-year-old top seed from Hangzhou put up a stunning performance by frustrating the Thai No 1 with her relentless retrievals to win the exhilarating final in 61 minutes.
“I was under pressure coming into the final against a Thai player but I managed to pull through,” said Chen, the current All England champion. “I really have to thank the Chinese fans who came here to support me today,” added the Chinese after her fifth win of the year. She had won the China Open, the All England Open, Swiss Open and Australia Open on her way to Bangkok.
Ratchanok, winner of the title here in 2013 and 2017, faltered in front of 4,000 home fans.
“I knew it wouldn’t be an easy final. She always stays calm whenever we play. I tried to step up the pace but I made mistakes,” said Ratchanok, the world No 7. “I made mistakes at crucial points. I was not happy with my game today. It was not my day,” said Ratchanok. She also apologised to the home fans for letting them down.

Chen triumphs as Ratchanok trips at final hurdle


Ratchanok, however had some consolation when her special supporter Napis Tortungpanich, the SEA Games gold medallist in shooting, presented her a bouquet of flowers after the match.

 

Chen triumphs as Ratchanok trips at final hurdle Chou Tien Chen


In men’s singles final, the in-form Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan outlasted Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong 21-14 11-21 23-21 for his second title of the season after the Indonesia Open two weeks ago. The word No 3 has improved his career record against his rival to 10-4. He has won five BWF World Tour titles.
In men’s doubles, India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty scored a shock victory over the third-seeded Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen of China 21-19 18-21 21-18.
In mixed doubles, second-seeded Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dong Ping of China beat Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino of Japan 24-22 23-21.
In women’s doubles, Shiho Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto of Japan beat Du Yue and Li Yin Hui of China 21-19 14-21 21-13.

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