rooster59 Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 Ratchanok falls but 5 Thais through to World Finals semis By THE NATION Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai 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. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/sport/30402002?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-30 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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