Ratchanok hopes to regain form with Thai Open run
World No.8 Ratchanok Intanon will begin her Thailand Open campaign against No.46 Rituparna Das of India at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium today.
The top-seeded Thai, who was crowned Thailand Open champion in 2013, is trying to regain form at the Grand Prix Gold tournament on home soil.
Ratchanok got off to an impressive start to her 2017 season with a final spot at the All England.
However, she has since failed to deliver and last month could not retain the three titles she won last year.
She had a creditable performance last week when she helped Thailand finish third at the Sudirman Cup.
The 22-year-old had two wins and one defeat at the world mixed team championship.
No.9 Busanan Ongbamrungphan will try to go a step further this year after losing in last year’s final.
The other Thai players in the women’s singles include No.14 Nitchaon Jindapol and No.20 Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Women’s doubles pair Sapsiree Taerattanachai and Puttita Supajirakul will start their defence of the title today.
Sapsiree will be looking to win two titles as she is partnered with Dechapol Puavaranukroh in the mixed doubles.
In fact, Sapsiree has been more successful this year with Dechapol.
They won the Swiss Open title and came in second at the Singapore Open and Asian Championships.
Their confidence is boosted by their display at the Sudirman Cup where they won all their matches.
Meanwhile, the Badminton Association of Thailand has decided to send only two players — Ratchanok and Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk — to compete at the world championships in Glasgow.
The other players — led by Sapsiree and Dechapol — will take part in the SEA Games in Malaysia.
Both tournaments will take place in August.
BAT president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said: “We should win at least two gold medals at the SEA Games in Malaysia — the same number of golds we won in the previous Games in Singapore two years ago.”
Ratchanok won the world title in 2013 to became the youngest ever world champion of the sport at the age of 18.