KUALA LUMPUR: Former world champion Ratchanok Intanon believes Goh Jin Wei has the potential of becoming a top 10 women’s singles player if she continues to work on her weaknesses.
On Saturday, the Thai World No 8 made easy work of the Malaysian sensation, scoring a comfortable 21-16, 21-16 win in just 36 minutes in the Malaysia Masters women's singles semi-finals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Ratchanok, who is also defending champion, said Jin Wei must continue building on her strength as the women's singles event is getting demanding.
"Jin Wei is a small player, so she needs to be stronger. The women's singles event is slowly becoming like the men's event," said Ratchanok, who will face Olympic champion Carolina Marin of Spain in the final on Sunday.
"Jin Wei can achieve what she wants (to be a top 10 player in the next couple of years) but she has to be patient and work very hard," added Ratchanok.
A frustrated Jin Wei couldn't hide her emotions when she flung her racquet bag to the floor after the match.
"I couldn't bring out my game and I'm really frustrated. I also see where I stand among these top players and there's a lot of work to be done.
"I just felt I could have done something in the second game but I had no patience," said Jin Wei, who will travel to Jakarta for the Indonesia Masters next week.
The 19-year-old, who bagged the Youth Olympic Games and World Junior Championships titles last year, can take heart from her performance this week.
The World No 28 stunned fifth-ranked Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and seventh-ranked He Bingjiao of China en route to reaching her maiden World Tour Super 500 semi-finals.
In the men's singles, independent shuttler Liew Daren threw a spanner into works ahead of the Indonesia Masters next week when he conceded a walkover to South Korea's Son Wan Ho with a foot injury.
"I am disappointed but what can I do.
"I felt a slight pain yesterday (quarter-final) against Shi Yuqi but my body was warm, so I thought I could play today, but unfortunately when I woke up in the morning, I couldn't walk," said Daren.
Wan Ho plays reigning Olympic champion Chen Long, who defeated Denmak’s Viktor Axelsen 21-13, 21-18 on Saturday, in the final.