Buoyed by three victories on the big stage in as many months, Thai badminton ace Ratchanok Intanon is confident that she would soon reclaim the coveted top spot in the world rankings.

Ratchanok, who looks set to climb two places to No.2 spot in the world when the new rankings are officially announced, is aiming to become top female shuttler by the end of this week's Superseries Singapore Open.

The 21-year-old former world champion had been dogged by a spate of injuries last year and had slumped to No.6 in the world.

She was back on the right track with her impressive triumph in February's Thailand Masters in Bangkok.

Ratchanok, the reigning Asian champion, did well in the ensuing tournaments but hit the top form in New Delhi two weeks ago, when she fell a number of giants to claim her second title of the year.

Seven days later, she clambered the winner's podium again in Shah Alam where Ratchanok raked in the crown for the first back-to-back top-place finishes of her career with her Malaysia Open triumph.

The Yasothon native returns to the court tomorrow to take on Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong in the first round of the US$350,000 (about 12.3 million baht) Singapore Open.

Ratchanok said: "I am 100 percent fit at the moment.

"Winning two tournaments in a row has given me a lot of confidence and at the moment I am ready to face any player in the world.

"I am confident but I am not taking anyone for granted. I am also not setting any difficult targets for myself.

"My first goal for the Singapore Open is to make it to the quarter-finals.

"I think I could claim the top spot in the world rankings if I advance to the last eight."

While Ratchanok is likely to march into the Singapore quarter-finals, her real test would start in that round.

She is likely to come across arch-nemesis Wang Yihan of China in the quarter-finals.

Ratchanok recorded her first victory over the Chinese world No.6 in 13 encounters in Shah Alam on Saturday.

Another win over Wang is expected to see Ratchanok clash with current No.1 Carolina Marin of Spain in the semi-finals.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by Bangkok post

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