Vitidsarn’s Drive Inspires Chaiwan
With her third defeat of her senior compatriot Ratchanok Intanon earlier this year in four international matches, Lalinrat Chaiwan had caused some ripples. Could she follow in the footsteps of her incomparable senior?
· BWF STAFF
Yet, Chaiwan couldn’t carry on from that first round win at the All England, and fell to another early exit. Apart from the French Open 2022, where she made the quarterfinals, Chaiwan has had an uneventful run over the last year. The one player she has consistently got the better of has been Intanon. Playing a style no doubt influenced by Intanon – touch, deception, elegant strokeplay – Chaiwan hoped she could continue to progress.
“Now my ranking is 31, I want to get into the top 15 first,” the 22-year-old said.
“I feel happy when I beat Ratchanok because she’s been the leading player for Thailand. I train hard. I train with her at the same club. I know her style and she knows mine, we play together every day.”