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Ratchanok falls but 5 Thais through to World Finals semis
Jan 30. 2021
Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai
By THE NATION
Ratchanok Intanon tumbled out on Friday but five Thais advanced to the weekend knock-out stage of the $1.5-million BWF World Tour Finals at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.
A day after beating Taiwan’s world No 1 Tai Tzu-ying for her biggest career win, Pornpawee Chochuwong was outplayed by VP Sindhu of India 21-18 21-15 but still finished top of group B. She will be joined by Tai, who fought back from behind to beat Thai No 1 Ratchanok 23-25 21-12 21-9.
“Sindhu had a perfect game plan for me. She played a style completely opposite to mine. … She was so sharp today,” admitted Chonburi-born Pornpawee, 23.
“I need to gain top form back and be ready for this,” the Thai said of Saturday’s semi-final, where she faces Spain’s Carolina Marin fresh from back-to-back titles here earlier this month.
Thailand is also represented in the women’s doubles semi-finals after Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai beat Linda Efler and Isabel Herttrich of Germany 21-13 21-14. They finished second in group B behind Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong of South Korea.
Local mixed-doubles hopes Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai also advanced with a 21-12 21-11 win over top pair Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith of England. The Thais finished second in group A behind Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yoo-jung of South Korea.
Ratchanok failed to match her best World Finals performance of a semi-final back in 2018.
“I tried to rush my play and ended up missing several shots. I lost confidence and couldn’t think straight out there,” said the downbeat Thai ace.
Meanwhile, rising star An Se-young of South Korea snapped the winning streak of Spain’s Marin, beating the Olympic gold medallist in their final group A match.
An learned her lesson from losing two semi-finals to eventual Thailand Open I and II champion Marin, turning the tables on the Spaniard to win 21-16 14-21 21-19. However, advanced to the last four after An topped the group and Marin came in second.
“I’m really happy as I have shed a lot of tears here,” said the 18-year-old from Gwangju. “It’s a good feeling and I can’t describe it in words. It feels like I was able to respond to those cheering for me, and I’m happy with that.”
“Marin had to much power and speed to handle in our first and second match [Thailand Open I and II]. Today I kept trying to control it until the end, and focused on each shot, one by one,” added the five-time BWF World Tour winner.
In men’s singles, world No 12 Wang Tzu Wei upset world No 3 Anders Antonsen of Denmark 21-11 21-19 to top group B with three wins from three matches. Antonsen ended with two wins and one loss also advances to the semis.
In group A, red-hot Viktor Axelsen scored his third win in three weeks over world No 2 Chou Tien Chen with a 21-10 21-14 victory. The Dane and the Taiwanese proceed to the last four as group winner and runner-up respectively.
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