Injured Intanon Ratchanok registered tight win against Sayaka Takahashi – Badminton news
Thailand’s experienced player, Intanon Ratchanok, stunned the Malaysian crowd by playing top quality badminton despite having a leg injury. She played with courage and registered a tight win over Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi and led her team into the semi-final
of Sudirman Cup 2013, which is in progress in Malaysia.
The World Number Five Ratchanok, who is just 19 years old, won the hearts of her countless fans all over the world with the unprecedented display of her craft. No one could have asked for better performance from her as she was injured. But she proved her
worth and did not let injury hinder her chances to win the match against her Japanese rival with a close margin of 21-19, 9-21 and 21-19.
After the match Ratchanok said, “I knew my team-mates were counting on me. We had won two points and I had to win it for Thailand because Japan were favoured to win a point in the women’s doubles.”
Thailand won the quarter-final battler with a 3-1 margin against Japan and, for the first time in the history of Sudirman Cup, reached into the semi-final which is a milestone in the badminton history of Thailand.
In the semi-final clash, Thai shuttler will face the experienced Korean team. They have already lost to Korean challengers at group stage but Ratchanok did not play that match because of injury.
Ratchanok also expressed that she was not expecting to reach this far in this prestigious tournament. She considers Korean team as the favourite but is not ready to let it go easily.
She said, “I did not play because of a foot injury. I also had a hamstring pull. But I had one day of good rest. There was pain when I played against Sayaka but I was more focused on beating her.”
The All England Open runner up, Ratchanok, is not hundred percent fit at the moment as her leg injury stopped her playing against Korea in the previous match. However, with her win against Takahashi, she has gained confidence and is ready to give her best
on court in the semi-final contest.
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