Despite ongoing knee trouble, world No.7 Ratchanok Intanon dazzled fans with her artistry and resilience, booking her spot in the quarterfinals of the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2026. The Thai star, a two-time champion at her home event, overcame Indonesia’s rising talent Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan in a hard-fought 21-16, 19-21, 21-15 victory.
Intanon, who sustained her knee injury at the Indonesia Masters in January, admitted she isn’t fully fit but embraces the challenge: “I’m still not very fit, and I just do what I have to, 80 or 90 per cent. I don’t expect to be 100 per cent because sometimes when I’m 100 per cent fit, I cannot play with good quality. Sometimes it depends on mentality.”
She praised Wiryawan’s technical skills and predicted a bright future for her opponent: “Her technical skills are quite good. I think if she gets stronger, she can be a very good player. Sometimes players are strong, but they don’t have technical skills, but she already has the handwork.”
Intanon’s journey at the Thailand Open has spanned 18 years—her debut came in 2008, and she has since lifted the trophy twice. Reflecting on her history at the Nimibutr Stadium, Intanon said, “I’m always happy to play here… I have to face my condition, so I will take care and I hope it doesn’t get worse.”
Adapting to the tricky conditions remains key: “If I keep good speed I can control the shuttle in the drift because I believe, with my handwork, I can control the shuttle, but also my game style is attacking, and when you attack, if there’s more speed on the shuttle, we get greater chances to win the point.”
Intanon now faces Japan’s Hina Akechi in the quarterfinals, aiming to continue her remarkable record at her home tournament.
What They Said:
“The wind is pretty strong, the shuttles are fast, so it’s tricky to play in there, with the humidity and heat… polar opposites [to Thomas Cup].” – Anders Antonsen
“I don’t want my family to come to the stadium, because I feel I want to fight by myself. If my father comes, he pushes me a lot. He can support me on TV!” – Ratchanok Intanon
“When I was young, my mum and dad brought me to cheer for my seniors. So I thought one day I have to be here on court, and want make them proud and everyone come to support me, and that is a very special memory for me.” – Busanan Ongbamrungphan
Photo: BWF/Badmintonphoto@Badmintonphoto
