Chen masters Ratchanok once again
Chou reigns supreme, Indian pair on top
Chen Yufei continued her dominance over Ratchanok Intanon with the Chinese world No.4 defeating the Thai star to win the women’s singles title in the US$350,000 (approximately 10.8 million baht) BWF Thailand Open last night.
The top seed registered her ninth win in 11 meetings against sixth seed Ratchanok, taking the final 22-20, 21-18 for her fourth title of the year in the BWF World Tour Super 500 event at Indoor Stadium Hua Mark.
Ratchanok, 24, had hoped to win the national open for the third time after victories in 2013 and 2017 but had to settle for the runner-up spot for the second time.
“I was under pressure playing against a Thai player in the final, but I was able to pull through,” said the 21-year-old Chen, who added the Bangkok title to her All England Open, Swiss Open and Australian crowns this year.
“I would also like to thank all the Chinese fans who came out to give me support today,” added Chen, who pocketed $26,250 (around 808,500 baht) winner’s cheque.
Earlier, Chou Tien-chen clinched the men’s singles crown after a thrilling final against Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long.
Both players collapsed on the court after the Taiwanese third seed Chou eked out a 21-14, 11-21, 23-21 victory in a 67-minute match.
“I love you guys, thank you,” the 29-year-old winner told the crowd.
In the women’s doubles decider, Japanese seventh seeds Shiho Tanaka
and Koharu Yonemoto fended off Du Yue and Li Yinhui, the eighth seeds from China, 21-19, 14-21, 21-13.
Unseeded Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty caused the day’s biggest surprise, stunning Chinese third seeds and world champions Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen 21-19, 18-21,
21-18 to claim the men’s doubles title.
Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping were crowned the mixed doubles champions after the second seeded pair from China edged their third seeded opponents Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino of Japan 24-22, 23-21.
Wang and Huang beat Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the semis on Saturday.