World No.5 Ratchanok Intanon yesterday lived up to expectations by becoming the first Thai to win the women's singles title at the SCG Thailand Open.
Ratchanok Intanon TECHAWAT SONGSUAIROOP
Ratchanok came back from one game down to beat compatriot Busanan Ongbumrungpan 20-22, 21-19, 21-13 in the final at Nimibutr Stadium.
In her second straight appearance in the final, Ratchanok became the first Thai woman to win the title since the tournament was established in 1984. In last year's final, she beat Saina Nehwal in the opening game but lost in the next two games.
"I concentrated more after losing the first set," she said.
The 18-year-old, who won the India Open in April, hopes to climb to the top three in the world by year's end.
Busanan was disappointed to lose in the final but satisfied with her overall performance in the tournament, where she did better than expected.
"I never thought I could be in the final. So, I am happy even though I lost," she said. "My goal this year is to win at the World Junior Championship in Bangkok."
In the men's singles, top seed and world No.7 Boonsak Ponsana should have claimed his second title but lost to K Srikanth, ranked 54 places below him.
Boonsak made many unforced errors and lost 21-16, 21-12 in 34 minutes.
Booksak said he made too many mistakes and that gave the Indian a chance to play more aggressively: "He played well and deserved to win."
In the men's doubles, the title went to South Korea's Baek Choel Shin and Yeon Seong, who beat second-seeded Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov 18-21, 21-15, 21-14.
In the mixed doubles, Indonesia's Markis Kido and Pia Bernadeth won 18-21, 21-15, 21-15 over fourth-seeded Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili.
Nitya Maheswari and Grysia Polii beat Yuriko Miki and Koharu Yonemoto in the final of the women's doubles.