Thai Ratchanok banking on home fans to spoil Jin Wei's party

Ratchanok Intanon celebrates after beating Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan in the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Masters at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

MALAYSIA are almost like a second home for women’s singles player Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand.

Not only has she enjoyed successful title-winning campaigns here with the Malaysian Open in 2016 and the Malaysian Masters last year, but she also has an overwhelming support from the local fans.

“I always enjoy coming back here because I get to see some of my Malaysian friends and they are always here to support me together with some of the local fans,” said Ratchanok.

“And as Malaysia and Thailand are neighbours, my Thai friends and fans are also here to cheer me on.”

With the continuous support behind her, the world No. 8 defeated the top seed Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan 21-13, 21-14 in just 31 minutes to reach the semi-finals. On Thursday, she scored a comfortable 21-12, 21-10 victory over English lass Chloe Birch.

It is Ratchanok fifth win in the last six meetings against Tzu-ying, including the final of last year’s Malaysian Masters.

She claimed it was the ‘easiest’ victory she has ever recorded against Tzu-ying after 23 encounters since 2010.

“She’s very different today. She was nowhere near her best. This is probably my easiest win ever,” said Ratchanok.

“She literally handed me the victory today. Normally she would go the distance to retrieve every single shot, but she did not do that today.

“After the match, I asked if she’s okay. She said she’s fine.”

But she still has a long way to go in her effort to defend her title.

“My focus is just to play my best game everyday and make it into the semi-finals or finals, because I don’t want to drop in the rankings.”

She takes on Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei today. The Thai has beaten Jin Wei once - at the quarter-finals of last year’s Malaysian Masters.