Ratchanok out to prove she has not lost the edge

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon has lost form since winning the World Championships last year.

COPENHAGEN: Thailand’s singles world champion Ratchanok Intanon does not believe she is a one-hit wonder.

The 19-year-old Ratchanok has somewhat lost her edge since winning the title at last year’s World Championships in Guangzhou.
 
Then, she swept past an array of Chinese stars in their own backyard to create history for Thailand.

But she has not won any international titles since then. Her best showing was a runner-up finish at the Indonesian Open in June.

In fact, her victory over Wang Shixian of China in the semi-finals in Jakarta was one of her biggest scalps over the last one year.

She admitted that although she had been plagued by injuries, she has not lost the fire to stay on top of her game.

An illness almost derailed her hopes of featuring in her second World Championships.
 
She was hospitalised for flu and fever and is not optimistic about her chances.

“It is just one after another. I have come here with less practice time. I will be more than happy to make it to the quarter-finals,” said Ratchanok.

“I am still young and there are many more years ahead of me ... you can’t get rid of me easily,” she added.

In Copenhagen, the world No. 7 Ratchanok is in the same half with top seed Li Xuerui and Han Li of China; Saina Nehwal of India, Sung Ji-hyun of South Korea, Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi and compatriot Nichaon Jindapon.

She received a first round bye and will face Beatriz Corrales of Spain in the second round. 

Corrales had a free ride after Thailand’s Busanan Ongbunrung-pan withdrew due to injuries.