Defeat Intanon, Putri KW Advances To Malaysia Masters Quarter-finals

JAKARTA - Indonesian women's singles Putri Kusuma Wardani beat the fourth seed from Thailand Ratchanok Intanon and confirmed her place in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Masters 2024.

Putri recorded a victory of two straight games 21-19, 21-19 over Intanon in the round of 16 at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

"I am certainly happy to win and beat one of the top players in this first meeting," said Putri, quoted from a brief statement from PP PBSI reported by ANTARA, Thursday, May 23.

Regarding today, Putri said she had not appeared in a hurry since the beginning of the match and was just trying to enjoy the game.

However, the victory in the first half on the previous day actually provided its own motivation for the world number 35 women's singles.

"I think from the previous match, I have started to rise. My belief is getting better. I want to go back to how it used to be," said Putri.

In the first and second games, Putri did lag behind Intanon, with Thailand's mainstay women's singles reaching 19 first.

However, Putri admitted that she did not want to give up quickly in order to collect points with a hard struggle.

Earlier, like in the first and second games, I was left behind. As the world's top players, Ratchanok's balls made it very difficult for me. The opponent's balls dived very much. But I have the principle, before the shuttlecock falls to the floor I will continue to chase and return it, "explained Putri.

With this, Putri will meet another top Thai player, Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

"Tomorrow in the last eight will fight Busanan. He is a good player. Just like today, I will play well. Just play without a burden," said Putri.

Meanwhile, today there are seven Indonesian representatives competing in the round of 16 of this BWF Super 500 tournament.

Apart from Putri, there is Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo in the women's singles sector, while in the men's singles there is his older brother, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo.

Furthermore, in the women's doubles number, there is Febriana Dwi Puji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi. Then in the mixed doubles there are three pairs, namely Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati, Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari and Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja.