Ratchanok pulls out of Thai Open

Ratchanok pulls out of Thai Open

Top seed and world No.3 Ratchanok Intanon has withdrawn from the Thailand Open, which gets underway at Bangkok's Nimibutr Stadium today.

The decision came after the 21-year-old Thai star suffered shocking losses in the quarter-finals of the last two Superseries events in Japan and South Korea.

Her handler Kamala Thongkorn told the Bangkok Post that the player's poor form was not only because of a health problem but also her lack of concentration.

"I was with her at the last two events in Japan and South Korea and I know she felt uncomfortable because of her personal issues," Kamala said.

"I can't tell you what it is about. I can only say she can't focus on her game."

Her coach Pattaphol Ngern-srisuk said that Ratchanok was not in good shape for the Bangkok event and needed to take rest before bigger tournaments -- the US$700,000 Denmark Open on Oct 18-23 and the $300,000 French Open on Oct 25-30.

Without former world champion and crowd-puller Ratchanok, who won the Thailand Open in 2013 and who has claimed three Superseries crowns this year, it will be another disappointing edition of the annual tournament.

Ratchanok's withdrawal means that no player ranked among the top 10 in the world is taking part in the women's singles competition.

Thailand's hopes now rest on Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, who is second seed and at No.13 in the world is the highest-ranked woman player in the tournament.

World No.16 Busanan Ongbamrungpan and No.17 Nitchaon Jindapol are seeded third and fourth respectively.

Boonsak Ponsana, who is seeded fourth for the men's singles, and fifth seed Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk will be spearheading the Thai challenge at the $120,000 tournament.

Indonesians Ihsan Maulana Mustofa and Sony Dwi Kuncoro are the two top-ranked players in the men's singles, while Hsu Jen Hao of Taiwan is the third seed.

Besides the singles contests, men and women's doubles and mixed doubles competitions will also be staged during the six-day tournament.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT