The world No 5 Thai lost to her arch-rival from Japan in the China Open and Dubai Super Series Finals last November and December but yesterday put up a great fight to return the favour in one hour and 10 minutes.

Playing her first event of the season, Ratchanok rallied from behind at the start to take a 19-15 lead using her fast attacking game to keep her opponent off balance.

She reached her first game point with a clever shot for 20-15 and closed out the opener with an impressive forehand.

In the second game, Ratchanok stayed in control with persistent and rapid play to lead 11-9 at the intermission and after exchanging leads, the Japanese mixed up the pace and intensified her attack to win six straight points and take the second game 21-16.

Yamaguchi carried her momentum into the decisive game and again led during the interval, 11-8. 

The contest turned topsy-turvy from then on with the Thai going up at 18-16 first before the Japanese gained the upper-hand at 19-18.

Ratchanok fought back for 19-all, smashed a winner to set up match point at 20-19 and the match ended with the Japanese spraying a shot long.

With the win, Ratchanok narrowed down her head-to-head deficit with the Japanese to 8-10 and moved into her first final since she beat Yamaguchi for the Denisa Denmark Open last October.

In the final, she will take on world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan, who survived four match points before edging out fourth-seeded Carolina Marin of Spain 12-21 21-15 23-21. 

Ratchanok leads their head-to-head 10-9.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30336752

 

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