Xuerui, Intanon pull out of Japan Open

Intanon Ratchanok is reported to have suffered a lower back injury. She conceded a walkover to local qualifier Shizuka Uchida in the first round of the Japan Open. – EPA Photo

PETALING JAYA: A packed schedule and niggling injuries have resulted in the Japan Open losing two of badminton’s top women’s singles stars, with world No. 1 Li Xuerui of China and world No. 2 Intanon Ratchanok of Thailand pulling out of the tournament.

Xuerui, who lost in the China Masters semi-finals last week, was suffering from pain in her left knee and consulted the tournament doctor on Tuesday.