Ratchanok: Women’s singles now more exciting than men’s

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon believes the women’s singles is now the most exciting event on the World Tour.

The 2013 world champion said that having champions from different countries in big events hadgiven the event the boost it needed.

Last season, Taiwan’s Tai Tzuying was the biggest winner when she bagged five Superseries titles to finish as the world No. 1.

Other winners on the tour included Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara, Sayaka Sato, Akane Yamaguchi, India’s P. V Sindhu and Spain’s Carolina Marin.

And world No. 5 Ratchanok, who bagged the Denmark Open, believes that the women’s singles now offers more variety and has become more challenging compared to the men’s singles.

“It’s definitely more competitive now. I do believe it is more exciting compared to the men’s singles because we have top eight players from different countries,” said Ratchanok.

“We always have different players making the quarter-finals and it’s becoming more challenging.

“We didn’t see players from China winning last year but they’ve young players who are becoming more experienced.”

China’s top two female shuttlers are world No. 8 Chen Yufei and world No. 9 He Bingjiao. The former is only 19-years-old while the latter is 20.

“They’re not as dominant compared to the time of Li Xuerui or Wang Yihan but I believe they’re getting much better.

“And I really enjoy the competitions. It doesn’t give me more pressure.”

Despite the increasing challenges, Ratchanok has set bullish targets this year.

“I aim to do well at the AllEngland, t he Wo r l d Championships, the Asian Games and World Tour Finals,” said Ratchanok.

“It’s going to be a busy year with a tight schedule but I feel that I can still do well.”