Busanan, Jongkolpan-Rawinda keep Thai flags flying in Orleans Masters
Thailand reigned supreme in the final day of the Orleans Masters by capturing two gold medals from the women’s singles and doubles at the Palais de Sports on Sunday.
Jongkolphan Kittititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai
Thailand’s successes in the French city included a victory by world No 13 Busanan Ongbamrungphan who clawed her way back to oust Line Christopherson of Denmark 16-21 21-15 21-19.
Earlier, top seeded Rawinda Prajongjai and Jongkolphan Kittititharakul staged a sweet revenge over second-seeded Gabriela and Setfani Stoeva of Bulgaria 21-16 21-16, three weeks after being upset by the European pair at the Swiss Open.
For Busanan who just turned 25 last Monday, she finally ended her long wait for title. Since winning the Thailand Masters in 2017, Busanan came closet to victory in the 2019 Thailand Masters only to lose to Fritani Fritani of Indonesia 12-21 14-21 in the final showdown.
The victory in Orleans is her first in the BWF Tour level (Super 100). Previously, she had won four crowns but all in Grand Prix levels.
“I’m so happy to win this title as I tried so hard to. My opponent has a good attacking game and set up a pace which made it tough for me. I just tried to return everything back and stayed in the rallies,” said Busanan.
Rawinda and Jongkolphan celebrated their third BWF Tour level together after the 2018 Thailand Masters and 2019 Chinese Taipei Open.
“We had to come with a good game plan to beat them as they are strong and have big smashes. This win is very important for us as we’ve gained points for the Olympics ,” said Jongkolphan.
The trio along with Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who reached the men’s singles semi-finals in Orleans, will return to Thailand on Tuesday and will have to stay at a quarantine hotel for 14 days due to the government COVID-19 policy.
Thai players will next compete in three Olympic qualifying tournaments between May and June in India, Malaysia and Singapore.
