Indian Duo Shines Bright: Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. Secure Men's Doubles Title

Lee Z.J. Clinches Men's Singles Crown, Katethong S. Reigns Supreme in Women's Singles

The TOYOTA Thailand Open 2024 was a big badminton tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. It happened from May 14 to May 19 at the Nimibutr Stadium. Players from 15 countries participated in this prestigious tournament.

The tournament had many exciting matches. Lee Z.J. from Malaysia won the Men’s Singles, and Katethong S. from Thailand won the Women’s Singles. In the Men’s Doubles, the Indian pair of Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. won, while the Women’s Doubles was won by the Thai pair Kititharakul J. & Prajongjai R. The Mixed Doubles title went to the Chinese pair Guo X.W. & Chen F.H.

These players showed great skill and determination in their matches. The tournament was a great success and was enjoyed by fans everywhere.

Men's Singles

Champion:

Lee Z.J. (Malaysia)

Runner-up:

Ng Ka L.A. (Hong Kong)

Key Matches:

Finals: In a decisive match, Lee Z.J. from Malaysia triumphed over Ng Ka L.A. from Hong Kong with a score of 21-11, 21-10. Lee’s dominance on the court was evident as he secured the title with ease.
Semi-Finals:
- Ng Ka L.A. showcased his resilience by defeating Thailand’s Vitidsarn K. in a gripping match that ended 21-14, 18-21, 21-19.
- Lee Z.J. faced off against Taiwan’s World No. 14, Chou T.Ch., and emerged victorious with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-12, 21-13, demonstrating his ability to come back from a set down.
Quarter-Finals:
- The World No. 5, Naraoka K. from Japan, faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of Taiwan’s Chou T.Ch., who won 21-14, 21-15.
- Denmark’s World No. 4, Antonsen A., was knocked out in the first round by Ng Ka L.A., who triumphed with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-14, 15-21.
- Singapore’s World No. 13, LOH K. Y., lost in the first round to Taiwan’s World No. 23, Wang T.W., with a score of 15-21, 13-21.

Ng Ka L.A.’s journey to the finals was marked by impressive victories, particularly his win against the World No. 4 Antonsen A. in the Round of 16, and his hard-fought semi-final triumph over Vitidsarn K. Despite his stellar performance throughout the tournament, he couldn’t overcome the formidable Lee Z.J. in the final showdown.

Women's Singles

Champion:

Katethong S. (Thailand)

Runner-up:

Han Y. (China)

Key Matches:

Finals: Thailand’s World No. 16, Katethong S., emerged victorious in a hard-fought final against China’s World No. 7, Han Y., winning 21-16, 25-23. Katethong’s resilience and determination shone through as she secured the championship.
Semi-Finals:
- Katethong S. defeated China’s Wang Z.Y., World No. 8, in a dominant performance, with a score of 21-17, 12-21, 22-20.
- In the other semi-final, Han Y. overcame Thailand’s Chochuwong Po., World No. 19, with a scoreline of 21-13, 21-18.
Pre-Quarter Finals: Thailand’s World No. 12, Intanon R., faced an early exit after losing to China’s Gao F.J., World No. 34, in a thrilling match that ended 18-21, 21-19, 14-21.

Katethong S.’s journey to the title was marked by her impressive victories, particularly her semi-final win against Wang Z.Y. and her ability to overcome the higher-ranked Han Y. in the final. Her triumph brought immense pride to the home crowd, showcasing the depth of talent in Thai badminton.

Men's Doubles

Champion:

Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. (India)

Runner-up:

Chen B.Y. & Liu Y. (China)

Key Matches:

Finals: The Indian pair Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. defeated China’s Chen B.Y. & Liu Y. convincingly with a score of 21-15, 21-15. Their synergy and strategy on the court were impeccable, leading them to a well-deserved victory.
Semi-Finals:
- Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. showcased their dominance by beating Taiwan’s Lu Ming Che & Tang Kai Wei 21-11, 21-12.
- In another gripping semi-final, the Chinese pair Chen B.Y. & Liu Y. edged out South Korea’s Kim K.J. & Kim S.R. with a scoreline of 21-19, 21-18.
Pre-Quarter Finals:
- The experienced Indonesian pair Ahsan M. & Setiawan H. were unexpectedly defeated by Taiwan’s Chiang C. & Wu H. 21-15, 21-16.
- Another Indonesian pair, Fikri M.S. & Maulana B., also faced an early exit, losing to South Korea’s Kim K.J. & Kim S.R. 22-20, 21-13.
- China’s Xie H.N. & Zeng W.H. were ousted by the Indian pair Rankireddy S. & Shetty C. 21-16, 21-11.

The Men Doubles category showcased the exceptional skills and determination of the Indian duo, who navigated through tough matches to clinch the title. Their victory in the finals against a strong Chinese pair was a testament to their hard work and teamwork.

Women's Doubles

Champion:

Kititharakul J. & Prajongjai R. (Thailand)

Runner-up:

Kusuma F.D. & Pratiwi A.C. (Indonesia)

Key Matches:

Finals: The Thai pair Kititharakul J. & Prajongjai R. secured a decisive victory against Indonesia’s Kusuma F.D. & Pratiwi A.C., with a score of 21-14, 21-14. Their strong teamwork and consistent play were evident as they dominated the final match.
Semi-Finals:
- Kititharakul J. & Prajongjai R. defeated the Indian duo Crasto T. & Ponnappa A. in a closely contested match, ending 21-12, 22-20.
- In the other semi-final, Kusuma F.D. & Pratiwi A.C. of Indonesia overcame Japan’s Iwanaga R. & Nakanishi K. with a commanding 21-12, 21-10 victory, demonstrating their formidable form leading up to the finals.

Kititharakul J. & Prajongjai R.’s journey to the title was marked by their consistent performance and ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments. Their victory was a proud moment for Thailand, highlighting the strength and depth of their women’s doubles badminton.

Mixed Doubles

Champion:

Guo X.W. & Chen F.H. (China)

Runner-up:

Puavaranukroh D. & Taerattanachai S. (Thailand)

Key Matches:

Key Matches:
- Finals: In a captivating final, the Chinese pair Guo X.W. & Chen F.H. triumphed over Thailand’s Puavaranukroh D. & Taerattanachai S. with a score of 12-21, 21-12, 21-18. The match was a rollercoaster, with the Thai pair taking the first game convincingly, but the Chinese duo making a remarkable comeback to win the next two games.
- Semi-Finals:
  - Puavaranukroh D. & Taerattanachai S. defeated their compatriots Oupthong R. & Sudjaipraparat J. in a straightforward match, 21-15, 21-14, showcasing their superior coordination and strategy.
  - In the other semi-final, Guo X.W. & Chen F.H. of China overcame Indonesia’s Rivaldy R. & Mentari P.H. with a scoreline of 21-15, 21-14, demonstrating their strong form and teamwork.

The final match was particularly memorable due to the dramatic shifts in momentum. Puavaranukroh D. & Taerattanachai S. started strong, but Guo X.W. & Chen F.H. showcased their resilience and tactical acumen to turn the match around and clinch the title. This victory highlighted their determination and adaptability under pressure.

The Mixed Doubles category provided fans with some of the most exciting and nail-biting moments of the tournament, underscoring the high level of competition and the thrilling nature of badminton.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for showcasing the best of badminton. As fans eagerly await the next tournament, the memories of the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2024 will remain etched in their minds as a reminder of the beauty and excitement of the sport.