Defending champion Ratchanok Intanon crashed out in the third round of the world championships in Copenhagen yesterday.
Ratchanok Intanon. file photo
World No.6 Ratchanok, who was seeded fourth, lost to Minatsu Mitani of Japan 21-8, 12-21, 18-21 in the last 16 round in the women’s singles.
It was her first loss to the Japanese in three meetings. With her defeat, there are no Thais left in the women’s event.
World No.15 Mitani will next meet Ji Hyun Sung of South Korea, who beat Indonesia’s Lindaweni Fanetri 21-10, 21-16.
Before leaving for Denmark, the 18-year-old Ratchanok was not confident if she would be able to retain the title because she got ill.
Top seed and world No.1 Li Xuerui of China, who lost to Ratchanok in the final last year, cruised into the quater-finals following a 21-9, 21-17 win over compatriot Han Li.
She will next face Saina Nehwal of India who beat Sayaka Takahashi of Japan 14-21, 21-18, 21-12.
In the women’s doubles, Duanganong Arookesorn and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul lost to fifth seeds Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei of China 21-13, 21-12 in the third round.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Lee Chong Wei marched on in his bid for an elusive world crown as he strolled into the last 16 to follow suit with his leading rivals on Wednesday.
The Malaysian top seed, runner-up at the last two world finals, made light work of Germany’s Dieter Domke with Lee cruising to a 21-12, 21-9 victory.
“He is a lower-ranked opponent but he put up a fight although I felt confident all the way through,” said Lee after dispatching his 43rd-ranked opponent.
However Lee, also a two-time Olympic silver medallist, admitted he was still working his way back to top form having been sidelined since June with a persistent groin injury.
“I was out of action for two months so I’m still trying to get some feelings back out on court. There are some shots I’m still reluctant to play,” said the Malaysian.