Porntip, final Thai hope, eliminated

Porntip, final Thai hope, eliminated

Ranked 12th in the world, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk gave her best but fell in the quarter-finals to old nemesis Li Xuerui of China. (AFP photo)
Ranked 12th in the world, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk gave her best but fell in the quarter-finals to old nemesis Li Xuerui of China. (AFP photo)

RIO DE JANEIRO - World No.3 Li Xuerui of China eliminated Thailand's last badminton hopeful, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, in a largely one-sided match Wednesday (Thailand time).

The experienced Chinese star ran her record against Porntip to 10 wins against three losses with a victory in straight sets, 21-12, 21-17.

The loss left Thailand without a hope of a badminton medal.

Before the Games, there was high expectation that world No.4 Ratchanok Intanon, at least, would return with a Rio 2016 medal.

But Ratchanok was knocked out of the tournament on Tuesday (Thailand time) in her first match after winning her three-woman group matches.

Carolina Marin of Spain, currently the world's top-ranked player, easily eliminated Sung Ji_Hyun of South Korea, 21-12, 21-16.

She will play Li in the semi-finals on Thursday.

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