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Opatniputh had shown technical finesse in dismantling the game of promising Indian Junior Tanvi Sharma, just 17, at Guwahati while taking the juniors crown (AP Photo)
Pitchamon Opatniputh has made a mark immediately in seniors reaching the final of the Indonesia Super 500 event impressively, at a record 19 years 21 days. The Thai with an impressively smooth and technical game and good power in her strokes, had beaten Indian Tanvi Sharma just last October, and has quickly transitioned to seniors.
Opatniputh defeated Letshanaa Karupathevan 21-15, 21-17 and will play former Olympic champ Chen Yufei in the finals.
Indonesia has seen the emergence of a young brigade take centrestage, with 5 finalists under 21 years of age in the Indonesia final.
Opatniputh had shown technical finesse in dismantling the game of promising Indian Junior Tanvi Sharma, just 17, at Guwahati while taking the juniors crown, and has maintained her levels and shown fine temperament all this week, accounting for senior players.
Thailand seems to have the best crop of graduated juniors with Panitchapon Teeraratsakul, 21, making men’s singles final, after beating former world champ in seniors Loh Kean Yew in straight sets. The Class of 2023 seems to have stepped up, as joining the Thai in the Indonesia final is local talent Alwi Farhan, 20, who have been competing against each other since age-group days. “We are friends off court but we will give our best to win,” BWF quoted Farhan.
Raymond Indra (21) and Nikolaus Joaquin (20) are also part of the new bunch in men’s doubles, having beaten seniors Gautama-Isfahani.
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