Can Ratchanok Hold On as Se Young and Akane Advance to SF?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ratchanok Intanon keeps her semifinal hopes alive.
- Se Young remains unbeaten in Group A.
- Akane Yamaguchi finishes second in the group.
- Exciting matches continue at the BWF World Tour Finals.
- India’s Rankireddy and Shetty are also in strong competition.
Hangzhou, Dec 19 (NationPress) Former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand kept her hopes alive for advancing from the women's singles Group B with a decisive win against China's third seed Han Yue during the preliminary league phase of the BWF World Tour Finals on Friday.
In a match held on Court 1 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, Ratchanok triumphed with scores of 21-17 and 21-10 in a swift 38-minute contest.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Korea's top seed Se Young and Akane Yamaguchi secured their semifinal spots by finishing atop the standings.
Se Young went undefeated in the group, winning all three matches, while Yamaguchi claimed second place with two victories. Indonesia's Putri Kusuma Wardani came in third with one win, and Tomoka Miyazaki finished last without a win.
Se Young overcame fourth-seed Yamaguchi in a competitive match, rallying after losing the first game to win 13-21, 21-5, 21-14 over 47 minutes.
On the same Court 2, Indonesia's Putri bested Tomoka Miyazaki from Japan with scores of 21-17 and 21-9 in 38 minutes.
In the evening session, India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will aim to conclude their group stage with a win against Malaysia's second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in a Group B match.
Earlier on Thursday, India's top men's doubles team, Rankireddy and Shetty, recorded their second consecutive win at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, defeating Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a thrilling three-game match.
The Indian duo, ranked No.3 globally, displayed their skill and poise, winning 21-11, 16-21, 21-11 and solidifying their position for a semifinal chance.