Ratchanok, Nitchaon lead Thai challenge in KL
Ratchanok Intanon and Nitchaon Jindapol will lead the Thai challenge at the Malaysia Open.
World No.5 Ratchanok will start her 2018 campaign in Kuala Lumpur today when she faces No.24 Fitriani Fitriani of Indonesia in the opening round.
The 22-year-old has not played since she reached the semi-finals at the BWF World Superseries Finals last month.
She said she is injury-free and aims to reach the semi-finals more frequently.
The Malaysia Open is one of three tournaments she will contest this month with her next stops being Indonesia and India.
“I trained hard for the new season,” said the 2013 world champion. “I am ready to play the next three tournaments in a row.”
Ratchanok has enjoyed a good run since she won the Denmark Open in October.
In-form Nitchaon, 26, will seek backto-back titles after triumphing at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters on Sunday.
The Phuket native has also been in good form since late last year, winning both the Bitburger Open in Germany in November and the Thailand Masters.
The world No.13 beat compatriot Pornpawee Chochuwong on Sunday to pocket the women’s title.
Nitchaon will take on a qualifier in the first round in Kuala Lumpur while No.23 Pornpawee will start against No.12 Sayaka Sato of Japan.
Meanwhile, Kantaphon Wangcharoen beat India’s Kashyap Parupalli 21-14, 21-17 yesterday to reach the main draw of the Malaysia Open.