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.
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