Ratchanok lone Thai survivor in KL
Star rallies to secure place in women’s singles semis, Suppanyu crashes out of Malaysia Masters
>> Ratchanok Intanon overcame Goh Jin Wei to book her berth in the semifinals of the Malaysia Masters at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The Thai world No.5, seeded fifth for the US$350,000 (approximately 11.5 million baht) BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, dropped the first game 21-23 against her 43rdranked opponent from Malaysia but fought back to win the next two games 21-6, 21-10 in the quarter-finals.
She next faces Japan’s second seed Akane Yamaguchi, who cruised past He Bingjiao of China 21-15, 21-14 in just 36 minutes.
Yamaguchi knocked out Thailand Masters champion Nitchaon Jindapol in the second round on Thursday.
In the other half of the draw, topranked Tai Tzu-ying and Carolina Marin will battle it out for a place in the final.
The fourth-seeded Marin of Spain advanced with a 21-17, 21-16 win over Malaysia’s Lee Ying Ying while No.1seeded Tai of Taiwan defeated eighth seed Chen Yufei of China 21-18, 21-15.
In the men’s singles event, Suppanyu Avihingsanon went down to Malaysian hope Daren Liew 18-21, 17-21 in 48 minutes.
Liew takes on No.1 seed Viktor Axelson for a place in the final.
The top-ranked Dane advanced to the last four after a tough 21-15, 19-21, 21-12 win over Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto also made it to the last four after an upset win over No.7 seed Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong 18-21, 21-19, 21-16.
He takes on Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus in a battle between two unseeded players in today ‘s semi-finals.
Vittinghus of Denmark defeated Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia 21-19, 21-16.
In the men’s doubles event, Thai pair of Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh lost to Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardrianto of Indonesia 18-21, 13-21 in just 29 minutes.
The Indonesians go on to meet Mads Conrad-Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding of Denmark in the last four today.
Conrad-Petersen and Kolding upset second seeds Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen of China 21-16, 21-16.
In the women’s doubles event, top seeds Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan of China moved into the last four with a 19-21, 21-17, 21-9 win over Chae YooJung and Kim Hye-Rin of South Korea.