Nong Mei wins in India (Updated)

03 เมษายน 2559

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon has added another title to her growing list of achievements, winning the India Open in straight sets.

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Here is a more detailed story on Ratchanok's victory

Ratchanok rules in India

Thai badminton ace Ratchanok Intanon put on yet another show par excellence as she whipped old nemesis Li Xuerui of China 2-0 to claim the US$300,000 Superseries India Open crown for a second time.

The 21-17, 21-18 victory in New Delhi last night was also her second in an international tournament this year.

After a lengthy indifferent run, former world champion Ratchanok enjoyed a change of fate when she recorded an impressive and entertaining 2-1 victory over fourth seed Sun Yu of China at the Thailand Masters in February in front of a large home crowd.

Last night, it was a predominantly Indian crowd that rooted for the Thai player and she didn't disappoint.

Ratchanok, ranked No.5 in the world and seeded fourth for the tournament, looked fresher than Li after her swift 21-8, 21-11 thumping of Bae Yeon-Ju, the unseeded world No.15 from South Korea, in the semi-finals on Saturday night.

Third seed Li, on the other hand, was stretched to the limit by local favourite and defending champion Saina Nehwal before booking her place in the showdown with a 22-20, 17-21, 21-19 victory.

Ratchanok, who won the India Open in 2013 and was runner-up to Nehwal last year, was engaged in a close battle with Li in the first game in which she was only able to stamp her authority in the dying moments.

"I had to prepare well for this match, said an elated Ratchanok after the match. "My idea was not to make mistakes. My concentration was good. "I kept telling myself that it is one more point and I should not commit errors." / AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN

The Thai was a runaway leader in the second game as a barrage of spectacular shots gave her a six-point run and put her 9-2 ahead. Li then shifted into a higher gear and started her trademark recovery that narrowed the margin to 11-9 and mounted pressure on Ratchanok.

The reigning Asian champion from Thailand was in no mood to let the opportunity slip from her hand. When a shot by Li found the net, it was all over, and Ratchanok slumped to the floor, did a Wai and bowed to the crowd.

The triumph in last night's final is likely to assure Ratchanok of a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics well ahead of the May 31 qualifying deadline.

Last night's story

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon returns a shot against China's Li Xuerui during the final of the India Open, won by Ratchanok. /Photo via twitter @BAI_Media