TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 SPORTS ‘Superwoman’ Ratchanok Intanon set sights on Olympics SINGAPORE: Ratchanok Intanon set to seal her third successive Superseries redemption for Ratchanok, who was said her body is starting to feel the grounds of the Bangkok dessert factory her sights on Olympic glory after title in as many weeks, after triumphs in heartbroken after she was eliminated in strain from playing consecutive compe- where her parents worked. becoming world number one-and said India and Malaysia. the London 2012 quarter-finals. titions. “I didn’t enjoy badminton at first. I she would be seen as “superwoman” if Ratchanok, who became bad- “After I lost, I felt bad and I couldn’t “When I woke up, I felt like my legs just did training but didn’t feel that I she wins Thailand’s first ever badminton minton’s youngest ever world champion sleep. I’ve never felt that way before,” were weaker,” said the native of wanted to be athlete. I just trained not medal in Rio. The 21-year-old, who won in 2013, will displace Spain’s Carolina she said. “I wanted to close my eyes but I Thailand’s Yasothon province. “I may be to disturb my parents while they were the Singapore Open to reach the Marin as number one when the rank- could not stop thinking about the loss.” tired but if I can make people in working,” she said. women’s singles top ranking for the first ings are updated on Thursday. Ratchanok added: “I don’t want to pres- Thailand smile and be happy, that’s “Now, I enjoy it because it is my time, said a medal of any colour would “I didn’t think about winning three sure myself but I think I have a chance okay.” Despite her fatigue, Ratchanok career. I don’t have to bother my parents be a triumph at the Games in August. (tournaments) in a row, I just wanted to to get an Olympic medal for Thailand. will be competing at the Badminton for money and I can support them “My target is gold medal at the try my best and if I could do it, I would “Now that I have become world num- Asia Championship in Wuhan, China financially.” Following her success in the Olympic Games... But I think that get- just do it,” she said. ber one, I have reached the dream. I next week where she aims to defend her sport, Ratchanok said she now hopes ting a medal would be like (becoming) “I feel the same now that I am world have completed one step but I still have title. “I think now there will be a bit more she can inspire more and more young superwoman,” she said yesterday at number one. There’s still room for one more step.” pressure because I will have to protect Thais to pick up a racquet. Singapore’s Changi Aiport before board- improvement and I want to be stronger. my ranking. But I will take it one step at “I am very proud to be the idol for ing a flight home. I don’t want to think of the top ranking, DESSERT FACTORY a time,” she said. young people in Thailand, that more Ratchanok beat defending champion but rather that I have more to learn.” The soft-spoken Thai, who started Ratchanok picked up the sport at an parents are sending their children to Sun Yu of China in three sets on Sunday Olympic success would mean this month ranked fifth in the world, early age, when she used to play in the play badminton,” she said. — AFP Resurgent Nadal targets Vilas record in Barcelona BARCELONA: Fresh from claiming his first given a tough route and, moreover, I am title in nearly two years at the Monte Carlo coming back from injury,” said Fognini. Masters, Rafael Nadal can tie Guillermo “I hope I can have a good tournament Vilas’s record of 49 clay court titles on home and take advantage of some players arriv- soil at the Barcelona Open this week. ing a little tired after playing in the past few Nadal is a serial winner in the Catalan weeks.” Nadal will start against another fel- capital having won the title eight times, but low Spaniard with the winner of Marcel has slumped to shock defeats in each of Granollers and Daniel Munoz de la Navas the past two years to Nicolas Almagro and awaiting him in round two. Fabio Fognini. Japan’s Kei Nishikori has occupied “I had a tough season in the last few Nadal’s thrown for the past two years and years, but I’ve had better preparation this the world number six is seeded second on year, even with a tough start to the season,” the other half of the draw. said Nadal after lifting his 28th Masters Nishikori is making his debut on clay title. “I hope it helps my season with confi- this season having skipped Monte Carlo dence for the next few tournaments. I’ve after reaching the final of the Miami been able to play well for two events in a Masters earlier this month. row-Indian Wells and here-winning against “I am happy to be back in Barcelona,” very tough opponents so that is very good said Nishikori. “I feel good and hope to win for my confidence.” my third consecutive title here.” Nishikori Enigmatic Italian Fognini has been a appears to have an easier route to the final thorn in Nadal’s side in the past two years than Nadal as he starts against either as he has twice defeated the Spaniard on Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker or Sweden’s clay and came from two sets down to beat Eliam Ymer with the fourth top 10 player in the 14-time Grand Slam champion at the the field Richard Gasquet potentially await- US Open last September. ing in the semi-finals. The two could meet again in the quar- World number eight Ferrer starts against ter-finals as Nadal has been handed a tricky Santiago Giraldo or veteran Radek draw with compatriot David Ferrer also Stepanek, whilst Gasquet will face Malek potentially awaiting in the semis. “I’ve been Jaziri or Hyeon Chung in round two. — AFP CLEVELAND: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the NBA Misbah ready for Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena on April 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 106-101. —AFP England challenge Cavs edge Pistons ISLAMABAD: Ageing Pakistan Test captain be touring England with Pakistan ‘A’ ahead Misbah-ul-Haq yesterday confirmed he will of the four Tests to get acclimatised.” not only lead his side in their four-match Pakistan’s second string will play four- series in England this summer, but is deter- day matches with county teams in June in playoff opener mined to play on until next year’s tour of before the national team contests two Australia. three-day practice matches against He is Pakistan’s most successful Test cap- Somerset and Sussex counties. CLEVELAND: Kyrie Irving scored 31 points in his routed Charlotte in Game 1 of the Eastern short-handed Grizzlies. Memphis matched a tain, having led his country to 20 wins, 11 The first of four Tests will start at Lord’s first playoff game since being injured last year in Conference series. Dwyane Wade scored 16 postseason low in the first quarter with 13 draws and 11 defeats in his 42 matches in from July 14. Surprisingly, Misbah has not the NBA Finals and Kevin Love added 28, leading points in 26 minutes, Joe Johnson and Amare points, and only Xavier Munford’s 15-foot charge-a better record than the legendary played a single Test in England during a 61- the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over Stoudemire each had 11 points, and Goran jumper with 46.1 seconds remaining kept it from Imran Khan. match career-and the fast paced tracks are the Detroit Pistons on Sunday in Game 1 of their Dragic finished with 10 assists. Miami scored 41 matching the worst output in any quarter. Vince But his desire to continue has been in expected to Test the reflexes of the veteran. first-round playoff series. LeBron James added points in the first quarter to tie one franchise Carter had 16 points to lead Memphis. Zach doubt since Pakistan’s 2-0 win over England “I know it’s a big challenge, so I am 22 points and 11 assists for the top-seeded Cavs. playoff record, set another with the 123 points - Randolph was held to six points on 3-for-13 last November, with doubts over his doing the best preparations for the tour They are favored to win the Eastern Conference topping the 121 in the 2012 NBA Finals clincher shooting. Memphis’ previous largest losing mar- hunger to continue compounded by a calf and realise the strength of the opposition,” again but got all they could handle from the against Oklahoma City - and never trailed. Nic gin was 27 points against Oklahoma City on May injury in January that flared up during the said Misbah. “After the England tour I am Pistons. Love, knocked out of the playoffs with a Batum scored 24 points for the Hornets. Kemba 11, 2011. Pakistan Super League a month later. planning to play until the Australia tour as shoulder injury in the first round a year ago, Walker added 19.