Yihan hands defeat to Ratchanok, enters final (pic)

0
3922
China's Wang Yihan defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in three tough sets on Saturday to advance to the Denmark Open final.

ODENSE: Former world No.1 Wang Yihan ended the impressive run of world champion Ratchanok Intanon with an impressive come from behind 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 win in the semi-finals on Saturday.

The 2011 world champion has been going through a patchy year but she saved her best for Ratchanok – a player she has never lost to in seven previous meetings.China's Wang Yihan defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in three tough sets on Saturday to advance to the Denmark Open final.

It was a close first game but Ratchanok, who is competing in her first tournament after a lengthy injury layoff did enough to steal ahead.

The 25-year-old Yihan, who won the Danish meet in 2010 then stepped up a notch and was always in the driving seat in securing her seventh win over Ratchanok and a place in the final.

She will face South Korea’s Sung Ji-hyun, who defeated China’s Wang Shixian 21-19, 21-14, for the title.

“Ratchanok has had an incredible year and winning the world title has given her a lot of confidence,” said Yihan.

“I knew it was going to be a tough match but I have never lost to her and I never intended to do so this time.

“As for the final, Ji-hyun has been impressive too and to reach the final means she has to be good so I’ll need to prepare well.

“Ultimately I really want to win in the final because I love coming to Denmark and the fans here are great as well.”

In women’s doubles, unseeded Chinese pair Bao Yixin-Tang Jinhua came up big to beat third seeds Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi of Japan 19-21, 21-15, 21-15.

There were double disappointment for the Japanese as Reika Kakiiwa-Miyuki Maeda fell 17-21, 21-7, 8-21 to home favourites Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl.

Pedersen however suffered the agony of losing mixed doubles, as together with partner – Joachim Fischer Nielsen, lost to top seeds Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei 18-21, 15-21.

Defending champions and second seeds Xu Chen-Ma Jin were however given a beating by reigning world champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia, losing 11-21, 18-21.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here