Giant-killer Nitchaon guns for Superseries title

Having lost seven times to the Taiwanese, a four-time winner this year, in her previous meetings, the 26-year-old produced the performance of her life to win the quarter-final 21-19 8-21 21-17 last Friday, handing the current badminton queen her first defeat since December.

“I didn’t expect to beat her at all. I knew I was the underdog in almost every aspect. So I played like I had nothing to lose, patiently figuring out how to win each point. When you enjoy the game and have no pressure, you tend to come up with your best,” said Nitchaon, whose only two big titles came at the World Grand Prix level in Germany and Canada in 2013.

Convinced of her ability to bring even the elite players to their knees, the Thai No 3 has set her sights on a top-level Superseries crown. Her best performances in Superseries so far are semi-finals places at the Indonesia Open in 2014 and last Saturday when she eventually went down to Sayaka Sato of Japan 21-13 18-21 14-21. 

“I have been vague about my goals in life. But after beating the world |No 1, I started believing in my ability. The goal is clear now. I’m mentally tougher,” said the 2010 Asian Games team silver medallist.

“But I need to improve my mental conditioning and be more focused on my game. I need to have a variety of tricks to tackle all types of opponents. I have to try to find a way to keep them out of the comfort zone.”

Like several local star players, Nitchaon has withdrawn from the ongoing Australian Open to join the camp for the SEA Games.

‘“We need to take a long break and keep ourselves fresh for the SEA Games. We should be more concerned with results in the long term,” she said.

Meanwhile in the Australian Open, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai beat Lee Chun Reginald and Chau Hoi Wah of Hong Kong 21-9 21-18 in the mixed doubles second round.

But Thai No 1 Ratchanok Intanon crashed out in the women's singles second round, losing to world No 1 Tai Tzu Ying 11-21 18-21.