Badminton Asia Championships: Ratchanok Intanon slays Belaetrix Manuputi in second round encounter
Thailand’s experienced shuttler Ratchanok Intanon secured her place in Women’s Singles quarter-final after defeating Indonesia’s Belaetrix Manuputi in second round encounter at Badminton Asia Championships 2013 on Thursday, April 18, in Chinese Taipei.
The fourth seeded Ratchanok, who has been earning respect in all major tournaments for the last one year, played with complete confidence and remained successful in overpowering Belaetrix in a controlled manner in just 34 minutes.
Thai lady started her campaign in a dominating manner as she played with greater level of precision and outplayed her challenger in straight sets with a completely controlled 21-13 and 21-16 score on the board.
Meanwhile, Belaetrix tried to put up strong show but she failed to raise her level of play at the crucial stages. She also could not create pressure on her higher ranked Thai rival and eventually crashed out without securing any game.
Ratchanok performed remarkably well from the opening rallies of first set as she played with spectacular speed and took over the charge of rallies.
The in-form Thai lady showed that she has achieved highest class skills in the arena and remained successful in taking a strong domination on court.
The aggressive Ratchanok progressed with a terrific speed in the first part and remained in lead on score board until the interval.
The fight progressed in the same way after the one-minute break as Ratchanok did not lose her commanding position on court.
Ratchanok was quite calm and composed on court as she did not take pressure and won the opening game with a staggering difference of 21-13.
Belaetrix was again in trouble in the following set as she faced a punishing treatment from her challenger who was at her best in the arena.
Until the end of first half, the impressive Ratchanok continued playing with control and variations and remained ahead on score board.
Belaetrix displayed her staggering skills in the second set but not enough to create pressure on her challenger.
Meanwhile, Ratchanok played better badminton and bagged the set with a reasonable 21-16 margin on the board.
In the quarter-final round, Ratchanok will be up against the in-form Japanese player Sayaka Takahashi who outplayed the eighth seeded Yanjiao Jiang in a straight-set battle.
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