Denmark Open win propels Ratchanok to No.6
>> Ratchanok Intanon has jumped three spots to No.6 in the women’s singles world rankings following her victory at the Denmark Open last Sunday.
The 22-year-old Thai star put on an inspired performance to stun defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in the Odense final and claim her third — and biggest — title of the year so far.
Ratchanok’s other t wo wins this season came at the Thailand Open in June and the New Zealand Open in August — both Grand Prix Gold tournaments.
The victory at the Superseries Premier event also helped her move up to fourth place from seventh in the Destination Dubai rankings with the top eight players qualifying for the seasonending tournament in December.
In the latest world rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday, rising star Pornpawee Chochuwong has also moved up three places to No.25.
It means Thailand now has four players in the top 25 of the women’s singles rankings — Ratchanok (No.6), Busanan Ongbamrungphan (No.15), Nitchaon Jindapol (No.16) and Pornpawee (No.25).
Women’s doubles stars Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai have moved up two places to No.10, while Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were up a spot to No.8 in the mixed doubles rankings.
Their male counterparts did not fare as well.
Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, who failed in the defence of his men’s singles title in Denmark last week, fell nine spots to No.21, while Bodin Isara and Nipitphon Phuangphuphet dropped to No.19 of the men’s doubles rankings.
PARIS PROGRESS
Ratchanok, meanwhile, continued her fine run of form as she booked her berth in the quarter-finals of the US$325,000 (around 10.8 million baht) French Open in Paris.
The eighth seed proved too strong for compatriot Busanan, winning their second round match 21-17, 21-17 on Thursday night.
She was scheduled to face top seed and world No.1 Tai Tzu-ying late last night for a place in the semi-finals.
Ratchanok defeated the Taiwanese in the semi-finals of the Denmark Open last Saturday.
Mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Puttita Supajirakul, the only other Thais left in the event, were due to meet Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen of Denmark last night.