Supanida Katethong is prepared to go all-in again in tomorrow’s YONEX US Open 2023 final, her first on the HSBC BWF World Tour since India Open 2022.

The world No.17 has been on the front foot all week in Council Bluffs, dropping only one game – in the second round against Lin Hsiang Ti.

In the semifinal she won 21-12 21-19 against Line Christophersen on Saturday, Katethong looked comfortable throughout, even when briefly trailing 14-11 and then 17-15 in the second game.

Her wait over after one and a half years, Katethong will once more take the tried and tested approach against Gao Fang Jie, who upset top seed Ratchanok Intanon 14-21 21-17 21-9.

“I’ll be keeping the pace high,” said the shuttler going for her maiden World Tour title. “That’s my style, that’s how I like to play – more offensive, high speed, ensure I get my drops right to force my opponents to lift.”

In January last year in New Delhi, Katethong surprised home favourite Pusarla V. Sindhu in the semis but fell just short against compatriot Busanan Ongbamrungphan.

“Delighted to be in a final again. I’ll do my best to make it (this time),” promised the 25-year-old.

“This is an important win in my career as it takes me closer to my first World Tour title. And it matters more because the number of Olympic qualification points I could get.”

The title match promises to be gripping with Gao also into a World Tour final after five years. She lost to Sayaka Takahashi back in 2018 at the Singapore Open.

Katethong agrees she must be at her best to get a result.

“I’ve been playing well this week but also made mistakes. I must avoid those when facing a strong opponent.”

→ Results (Semifinals)

→ Order of play (Finals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“We love it, we’ve been waiting three years. We were focused today, figured out what worked for us in there, didn’t make a lot of mistakes and were ready for every rally.” – Maiken Fruergaard after she and Sara Thygesen defeated Hsu Ya Ching/Lin Wan Ching to return to a final

“Of course it’s a big confidence booster to make the final of our comeback tournament but we won’t think too far ahead. One match at a time, that’s our focus.” – Nur Izzuddin, who is playing his first event in six months with Goh Sze Fei