Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand triumphed at last year’s World Championship, but Thursday the Thai left the World Championships’ courts in Denmark just before the quarter-finals. Also Saina Nehwal had to struggle a lot to make her way through to the quarter-finals, while top seed Chinese Li Xuerui had an easy win.
Ratchanok Intanon’s preparations haven't been the best, struggling with illness just before her arrival to Denmark, but the Thai looked rather confident in her match taking the first game easily 21-8. But second game didn’t turn out Ratchanok’s way - instead, it was her Japanese opponent’s turn to take an rather easy win 21-12.
The third game became a marathon. Ratchanok was in front at 16-13, but didn’t manage to keep the lead and close the game. Minatsu Mitani kept fighting and fighting and the exhausted defending Champion suffered from easy mistakes. Minatsu made use of her first match point and closed the third and decisive game, 21-18.
Indian troubles
Saina Nehwal is in Denmark with a brand-new victory from Australian Super Series. The Indian star is usually performing well on Danish ground, winning Denmark Open in 2012, but the Indian 7th seed star was struggling in her second match in Ballerup Super Arena, against her Japanese opponent, Sayaka Takahashi.
Sayaka Takahashi was in control in the first game, leading ahead on the scoreboard all the way through the game. In the second game, Saina Nehwal still lagged behind and wasn’t really able to gain a foothold, just until the end, at the score 17-17, where Saina Nehwal managed to step up and win three points in a row, taking the match into three games.
Strengthened by her comeback in the second game, Saina Nehwal felt stronger in the third game and left her tired opponent no opportunities to fight her way back. With a victory, 14-21, 21-18, 21-12, she secured a seat in the quarter-finals.
Confidence from Australia
- I was expecting a tough match, because Takahashi always has tough matches with all the top players. My legs were not moving that well, the good thing is, that I fought back and won the game, Saina Nehwal said.
She does not underestimate that her recent win in Australia has given her back some mental strength.
It has been a while since I won a Super Series, so this has been a very good boost for me. I think it gives me a lot of confidence, because it’s not easy to beat so many Chinese in one tournament. It definitely helped me to pull through today, Saina Nehwal said.
Another win for Li Xuerui, Wang Shixian and Sung Ji Jyun
Seina Nehwal broke the Chinese wall in Australia. Now, she has to do it again if she wants to reach the semi-finals. Top seed Chinese Li Xuerui is waiting in the quarter-finals.
Chinese Han Li was never a threat against her compatriot Li Xuerui. Thursday, the top favourite defeated her teammate 21-9, 21-17. Also second seed Wang Shixian from China made it through with a victory against Thi Trang Wu from Vietnam.
Also fifth seed Sung Ji Hyun from Korea is still going strong in the championships. Her opponent this Thursday, Indonesian Lindaweni Fanerti, still haven’t won a game against the Korean and in their fifth meeting the Indonesian lost by 21-10, 21-16. The blue dressed Korean was capable of playing with much more speed in her strokes during the whole match.
To see all the Women’s Singles results from Thursday (Round 3)
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