May still pursuing All England dream
Thai vows comeback after final loss to Tai
BIRMINGHAM: Ratchanok Intanon has vowed to fight for the All England title in the future after losing in the final twice.
Having been defeated in the 2013 title match, the Thai was runner-up again when she was beaten by world No.1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan 21-18, 22-20 on Sunday.
“My day will come... have to be patient for that thing. If I am still playing, I will be champion,” world No.7 Ratchanok posted on her Facebook page.
“Thank f or your moral support. Although I was not successful today, it does not mean that I won’t have another chance. I have to move forward.”
In Sunday’s women’s singles final, Ratchanok, 22, could have won the second set when she took a five-point lead at 13-8.
Although the Taiwanese, also 22, closed the gap, Ratchanok won a crucial point for a 20-18 advantage.
However, Tai staged a brilliant fightback to finish off the Thai with four unanswered points.
With the win, Tai became the first All England winner from Taiwan.
“I kept telling myself not to give up. It was a very intense game,” said Tai, who is now 7-7 in her career meetings with Ratchanok.
Although Ratchanok failed in her bid to become the first Thai champion at the prestigious tournament, the Yasothonborn star won praise from her compatriots, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Gen Prayut, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn and Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul sent Ratchanok ‘congratulation’ messages via Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand.
Patama said: “The three said May [Ratchanok] did not win the match but won the hearts of all Thais. She is an example for young Thais and an inspiration for more Thais to play badminton and other sports. Keep on fighting, May.”
In a sense, finishing second was a success for the 2013 world champion who played in her first tournament in three months after returning from an injury.
Ratchanok will next defend her titles in three Superseries events in India (Mar 28-April 2), Malaysia (April 4-9) and Singapore (April 11-16).
She won the events last year to become the first female shuttler to secure three consecutive Superseries title.
Meanwhile, Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia’s veteran world No.1, captured the men’s crown with a trampling 21-12, 21-10 win over China’s unseeded Shi Yuqi.
It was Lee’s fourth All England title, which equals the achievement of Morten Frost, the Dane who is his coaching director in Kuala Lumpur.
His tally is more than any singles player of the Open era except Lin Dan, the Chinese genius who is the only opponent consistently to get the better of him.
At 34, Lee is the oldest singles champion of the Open era.