33 beats 18 - Baun over Ratchanok
Tine Baun became the oldest All-England women's badminton singles winner of the open era when she beat the youngest finalist Ratchanok Intanon in an uniquely emotional final.
- Published: 10/03/2013 at 11:17 PM
- Newspaper section: breakingnews
The 33-year-old's 21-14, 16-21, 21-10 win over the 18-year-old Thai woman brought to an end the career of one of the outstanding players of the past ten years, and the only woman to threaten Chinese dominance.
The Dane only decided to compete this year as a "last adventure" but instead, as seventh seed, surprised herself by winning the All-England title back and taking it a third time.
Her young Thai opponent, the youngest world junior champion at the age of 14, was not far from spoiling the script with her wonderful movement and wide range of strokes and looked a likely future champion.