JAKARTA: Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon will take on Carolina Marin of Spain on Sunday in the final of the US$400,000 Indonesia Masters badminton tournament in Jakarta.
The Thai world No.5 defeated Wang Zhiyi of China in straight sets (21-12, 23-21) on Saturday in the women’s singles semi-finals. Marin downed He Bing Jaio of China 21-11, 21-19.
Saturday’s victory for Ratchanok helped ease the sting of her early exit — at the hands of underdog Wang — from last week’s Malaysia Masters, where she was seeking her third straight title.
World No.10 Marin is appearing in the Jakarta final for the second straight year and is hoping for a happier outcome this time.
A year ago, Marin collapsed in agony at the Istora Senayan Stadium as she suffered a career-threatening injury to her right knee during the final against India’s Saina Nehwal.
But the Spaniard has been in excellent form this week. She and Ratchanok have met 10 times previously in BWF events, with the Thai holding a 6-4 edge.