Pearly & Thinaah: What Happens Next?

Before we look forward to Paris 2024 let’s cast our minds back to Paris 2022 and the final of the Yonex French Open. Pearly & Thinaah had negotiated a tough run to the final beating Matsuyama/Shida in their QF and Baek/Lee in the SF and now they faced the Japanese pair Matsumoto and Nagahara. Over three big sets their will to win, their strategy and their fitness saw them grab the title, igniting anticipation from fans for the years ahead.

2RW1KFF Hong Kong, China. 15th Sep, 2023. Pearly Tan, Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia.
(Credit Image: © Ben Lau/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire) From Alamy

It’s interesting to remember the challenges Thinaah faced leading up to the tournament; training solo while Pearly recovered from a hamstring injury. Injuries and the risk of injury poses a significant obstacle to this pair’s progress. Since winning Gold at the Commonwealth Games in August 2022 and their later victory in Paris later that year consistently maintaining peak fitness has been a struggle. Beyond the impact upon tournament participation, it disrupts training and overall progression.

WD at the Tokyo Olympics was probably the last hurrah for the “War of Attrition” style. Greysia Polii excelled at endurance, and she stepped on court with experience of the Olympics . T&T’s style could be seen as the natural antidote to long rallies. At their most effective they bring a fizzy counterpoint to the court. Thinaah gives a good foundation to the pair with her defensive vision. Pearly is liberated to use her creativity and go hunting for points.

However, their recent match at BATC against the Indonesian pair Mayasari/Sugiarto was marked by mistakes and hesitancy suggesting they haven’t hit their stride yet in the journey to Olympic qualification. Perhaps the fear of injury has tempered their style and relish for competition.

It’s vital that they avoid stagnating. Reports suggest that Rexy Mainaky has arranged for them to spar with men in training recognizing a gap in standards with the other WD. Lately they have seemed a bit vulnerable to sustained attack – lacking the strategic resilience to break their opponent’s rhythm. Intensified training may offer a solution to this and bolster their competitive edge.

Olympic expectations were high when they were ranked at 5 at the start of 2023. They have slipped a little, but they haven’t suddenly become bad players. They lost their momentum owing to injury so now – if they can both stay fit- there is still time to arrive in Paris with a renewed optimism. Their path to the Olympics has been full of difficulties so far. Yet with resilience and determination, the support of coaches and fans they can step on court to chase their dreams.

If you’re a fan of Malaysian Badminton take a look at https://shuttlehard.com/ and also https://badmintoniacs.wordpress.com/ .

Thanks to Rene Biaoli and the vast community of Malaysian Badminton fans for observations and shared ideas.

TAI Tzu Ying Wins the WTF 2023

TAI Tzu Ying is the Champion again at the World Tour Finals – this is a triumph we will savour in years to come. Her resilience and will-to-win carried her through an incredible weekend to finish at the top of the podium.

Screengrab courtesy of BWF TV

After coming back from the dead against AN Se Young in their semifinal TAI Tzu Ying faced Carolina Marin in the last match of 2023 to battle for Gold. Marin is always an intimidating opponent and her form this week – her touch and focus – meant that this was going to be a huge task for the Queen.

Two battle-scarred athletes faced each other over the net. The slow hall allowed Marin a few microseconds of advantage to neutralize Tzu Ying’s natural game. TTY appeared a bit leggy at the beginning and Marin dominated the early exchanges to close out the first set 21-12.

The second set started, and TTY was struggling to reach the shots from Carolina that stretched her sideways. Her left leg was obviously strapped, and her opponent was good at exploiting this. Advantage to the Spaniard at the break 11-9. Then, a shift in the balance of power. TAI won 6 points in a row, and Marin was making some mistakes under pressure. Both players are running on ‘old legs’ these days; both are a little slower and less agile than 5 years ago. TTY rode the momentum she had generated and levelled up the contest, winning the second set 21-14.

The decider started evenly but there was a moment when TAI was 8-9 behind that produced a pivotal shot. Under extreme pressure and suffering with her troublesome left knee she executed a magnificent backhand crosscourt net shot that skimmed along the net cord like a flat pebble across still water and dropped to Marin’s side of the court. 9-9 and she was immediately infused with self-belief whilst Carolina started to deflate.

Watching fans hardly dared to hope as suddenly TAI Tzu Ying seized the advantage. Six points in a row took her to 18-12 and although Carolina fought courageously, she could not disrupt the passages of play enough to get back into the match. 21-18 and the title went to The Queen.

TAI Tzu Ying’s first victory at the World Tour Finals was ten years ago in 2014. This is her fourth title at the season-ending extravaganza and the sweetest, as the campaign this year has been extraordinary and one for us all to relish. The semi-final against AN Se Young felt like the thousandth meeting this year. We all thought that we knew the script as the head-to-head was 10-2 in the Korean’s favour but in an epic match TTY forced an incredible win against the odds.

This is a well-deserved victory. A reward for never giving up, for hard work and for being true to herself. Huge congratulations to Tzu Ying for a remarkable week and heartfelt thanks from all her fans for a wonderful weekend’s play.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at some of my other articles about TAI Tzu Ying on my blog https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/10/22/tai-tzu-yings-500-wins-excellence-unlimited/ about the 500 wins milestone or this one from a while ago about the incredible team who support her https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/02/25/team-tai-tzu-ying/

TAI Tzu Ying’s 500 Wins: Excellence Unlimited

In a truly momentous milestone TAI Tzu Ying has achieved the feat of securing her 500^th victory. She’s travelled a long way from the skinny kid winning her first pro match in 2007 to the worldwide icon about to grace her fourth Olympics.

2RR8TM1 Zhongguo, China’s Jiangsu Province. 7th Sep, 2023. Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei hits a return during the women’s singles second round match against Zhang Yiman of China at the 2023 China Open badminton tournament in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Sept. 7, 2023. Credit: Yang Lei/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

She is badminton’s once-in-a-lifetime star; beloved throughout the world, transcending her sport in the same way that Federer transcends tennis. Dazzling deception is baked into her approach. Her exquisite shots are a shared celebration of her command of the game as her fans provide a soundtrack of delight wherever in the world she plays.

Many people have played a part in shaping her genius – it’s born of years of hard work, unfettered imagination and joy in competition. Looking back to her formative years it was the support of her family that nurtured the spark of brilliance. Her father introduced her to the sport and – as the story goes – took her around the smaller clubs that dot her homeland to take on adults. She couldn’t compete equally in terms of strength, but hated losing, so she had to hone her trickery. Imagine if you had been a club player in Kaohsiung suddenly facing TTY across the net – there must be people in the city who did just this in the early days.

A hand injury suffered when she was thirteen could have been a debilitating setback. Instead, it catalyzed the development of her extraordinary backhand skills. As her father astutely observed, the injury proved to be a blessing in disguise.

TTY’s spontaneous panache on court has been supported by Coach LAI who understands that her flair must be nurtured rather than squashed to fit established playing styles. Her father was key in identifying LAI as a coach on the right wavelength to look after her. The formation of her team – physio, coach, & trainer has been designed to give her support in all areas of her game.

It’s impossible to pick a favourite TAI Tzu Ying match but the series of breathtaking battles with Ratchanok Intanon over the years standout as the El Classico of the badminton world. The spectacular skills of both athletes elevate these games to thrilling contests between wonderful opponents challenging each other to reach new heights of wizardry. Read more here TAI Tzu Ying & Ratchanok Intanon: MayTAI

500 Up, more than 200 weeks as World #1 and not finished yet. Dr TAI’s zest for the game has refocused with the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon. It’s impossible to predict what results the next year will bring but we know that when she walks onto the court her fans will be there to clap and cheer, standing ready to support and witness the unlimited brilliance of this incredible player.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at one of my archive articles about TTY https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2022/01/29/tai-tzu-ying-200-breathtaking-weeks-as-world-1/ or this one https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2022/03/02/tai-tzu-ying-at-the-all-england/

Arctic Open Gold for LEE Zii Jia

An all-Malaysian MS final at the Arctic open brought us the lip-smacking prospect of Spicy Chicken versus the Mushroom – or, for those less versed in Chinese nicknames: LEE Zii Jia against NG Tze Yong. This clash not only promised an enthralling match for the neutral fan but was also an exciting advert for the depth of talent in the Malaysian team. In this high-stakes battle both players needed Gold but only one could stand at the top of the podium when Negaraku played.

2T08EMJ Hangzhou, China’s Zhejiang Province. 5th Oct, 2023. Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia competes against Prannoy Haseena Sunil Kumar of India during the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal of Badminton at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit: Ren Zhenglai/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

The tenacious progress of NTY since his superb performances at the last Commonwealth Games – including his dispatch of Viktor Axelsen at this year’s All England – reveal a player who is poised to challenge the best in the world. In contrast, LZJ has weathered a very up-and-down year and suffered an excess of unnecessary media scrutiny as a result. Nevertheless, he’s in the process of refining his game; cultivating patience and cutting errors. Game on!

Set 1: Advantage Lee Zii Jia 21-14

With a smash speed consistently higher than 410kph LZJ went full throttle courtesy of an unwilling green light from NTY. Tze Yong struggled to contain Zii Jia’s aggressive accuracy and was sucked into a reactive game that stopped him from getting any sort of foothold in the first set. It was all over in 16 minutes.

Set 2

NG Tze Yong found himself bulldozed by the sheer brutality of LEE Zii Jia’s game. Usually, he can remain composed and counter an onslaught but today he struggled for ideas against his compatriot. In the blink of an eye LZJ had charged into a 5-0 lead; he was completely dominant and enjoying the flow of his game. We only saw fleeting glimpses of what NTY is capable of. He fought to claw his way back into the match but could not halt the progress of LEE Zii Jia to a well-deserved Gold 21-15.

LEE Zii Jia came to the match planning to give Ng Tze Yong no chance to breath. It was a tough 39 minutes for NTY but his progress to the final showed his impressive growth. Meanwhile, Lee Zii Jia’s relentless attacking prowess was an exhilarating sight. What an exciting day for fans of the two players.

Edit: The two of them were actually on the podium to Queen’s We Are The Champions. I think the ‘We’ is appropriate!

If you enjoyed this then take a look at one from my archives about LZJ https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/07/29/lee-zii-jia-and-plan-b/

BWF World Championships 2023: Singles Preview

Viktor Axelsen and AN Se Young have reigned supreme over the past year. Nonetheless their rivals are descending on Copenhagen determined to challenge their auras of invincibility.

Grab your popcorn and get ready for the excitement overload that the World Championships will deliver. I’m looking forward to some famous victories, fierce contests and heart-stopping surprises.

Men’s Singles

No one becomes the World or Olympic Champion by chance and Viktor’s recent track record is a testament to his dedication and ruthless winning mindset. Who has what it takes to compete against him? The chasing pack offer so many intriguing possibilities.

The top half of the draw throws up some potentially tricky opponents. India’s HS Prannoy is lined up for a R16 clash with LOH Kean Yew, with the subsequent QF likely to be against Viktor. Prannoy is enjoying a good run of form and knows that he is capable of causing a big upset. Kunlavut Vitidsarn is seeded 3 and beat Axelsen in 3 sets at the India Open final in January so he is also a credible threat, although he will have to negotiate a way past a resurgent Lakshya SEN and probably the current All England Champion LI Shifeng as well.

The bottom half of the draw is fascinating. The two standout unseeded players here are NG Tze Yong and LEE Zii Jia. LZJ is rebuilding his confidence with a new coach after a tough year; NTY is the epitome of dogged undemonstrative determination. Both can be world beaters when they are at the top of their game, but both cannot get to the QF. Realistically it’s possible that both will suffer an early exit – the curse of the unseeded competitor – as Zii Jia’s first match is against Jonatan Christie whilst Tze Yong could encounter Anders Antonsen in his second.

Kodai Naraoka is seeded 4 whilst SHI Yuqi is 8 and the prospect of a QF between them is fascinating. Naraoka’s endless stamina allows him to relentlessly pursue every point whereas SYQ is more enigmatic. Endurance skills are likely to be key here, especially if the hall is slow.

Women’s Singles

Who has the inner strength to go head-to-head with AN Se Young and come out on top? The most likely players are the other members of the Fab Four. Akane Yamaguchi is the defending champion and aiming to win it for the third time in a row. Reports from Japan have revealed that she injured her right foot a few weeks ago. Her style hinges on exceptional court coverage so it’s crucial that she has made a full recovery.

This is probably TAI Tzu Ying‘s last chance to win Gold at the World Championships. Her victory in two sets over ASY at the Asian Championships recently is thought provoking given Se Young’s subpar performance. It’s hard to determine if she was worn down by her path to the final or was hampered by an injury niggle. Generally speaking she can neutralize TTY by offsetting her spontaneous creativity with relentless retrieval.

CHEN YuFei is seeded 3 in the top half of the draw which sets up the possibility of a SF against ASY. She has all the patience and all the shots needed to counter the Korean. She is the most likely to find a way through, especially as she has the skill to ramp up her scoring at pivotal parts of the match to capitalize on a rival’s mid-game slump. Her weakness can be caution but I wonder if AN Se Young has the inclination to exploit that.

Outside of these top four seeds could anyone else get on the podium. PV Sindhu always unleashes her ‘A’ game at the big events and if she is fit, she may feature in the medals. The draw has not been kind to her: if she overcomes ASY then she would unlock a SF showdown against CYF. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung is starting to realize the potential that marked her junior years. Her creative flair has always been exquisite but now it is seasoned with more mental resilience which is making her a tougher rival. She could be quite a menace to Akane’s ambitions if they meet at the QF stage.

Predictions?

More than a billion people will be watching to see who can outshine the two top seeds. Considering that Viktor’s home advantage should give him an extra incentive to win, it is likely he already has one foot on the podium. The Women’s Singles seems a little more open. AN Se Young’s future is golden, but she will be stretched from the moment she steps on court.

Some spectacular clashes are on the horizon, so get ready to relish the battles ahead.

If you enjoyed this, then take a look at my recent article about AN Se Young https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/03/an-se-young/ or this one about TAI Tzu Ying and Ratchanok Intanon https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/04/09/tai-tzu-ying-ratchanok-intanon-maytai/

LEE Zii Jia: Reasons to be Cheerful

LEE Zii Jia’s run of good results at the Australian Open came to an end in a three set SF with WENG Hong Yang. What are the top takeaways from this tournament for him and his fans?

2J6ETN3 (220501) — MANILA, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) — Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia poses for photos during the awarding ceremony for the men’s singles at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 in Manila, the Philippines, May 1, 2022. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

As Team LZJ embarked on their flight to Sydney last week it was crucial that Coach WONG and Darren Liew supported their player. Amidst the gale of media criticism that often swirls around him, they had to embody the eye of the storm, giving tactical analysis and unwavering confidence in his ability to overcome his challenges.

Before the competition began – after a dismal sequence of early exits – plus a hiatus to recharge and recalibrate, I think that the prospect of making the semi-final of a S500 tournament would have been a tantalizing glimpse of a brighter horizon.

As he took to the court to face fellow Malaysian LEONG Jun Hao in R32 the main worry was his recent habit of early exits stemming from a mix of impatience, good opponents, and bad luck. However, plot twist! This time he changed the script. The match did not begin particularly well: his play was marred by errors: his range was out, and he was misjudging the arena’s conditions. LJH took the first set, and an upset was on the cards. However, set two and a small improvement in his touch and some deceptive shots surfaced. He was tenacious and levelled to one set all. His momentum continued and with an impressive display of mental grit he got the victory in just over an hour.

R16 was another long three set match, this time against Indian national champion Mithun Manjunath. Zii Jia was more comfortable with the conditions, and noticeably better in the front court. While it was not a dazzling performance he rose to the challenge and was into his first Quarter Final for months. It was encouraging to see him find an extra gear at 16-16 in the final set. MM resisted and fought back hard but he could not break LZJ’s resolve.

And so, to another compatriot clash, this time against the ever-improving NG Tze Yong. Malaysian badminton fans are lucky to have two outstanding MS. NTY’s performances at the Commonwealth Games and at the All England this year showcased his tenacity and undemonstrative self-confidence. He is such a dogged, never-say-die competitor that it was imperative for LZJ to win in two if he had any hope of progression. Ominously he lost the first set and the second was balanced on a knife edge but Zii Jia would not yield, eventually taking it to extra points 26-24. It was heartening to see his surge of determination to get the match to a third set. The advantage was with him, and he took it 21-19.

Four early exits in a row before this tournament but this time he broke the pattern and reached the SF. After his defeat he revealed in an interview with the BWF that playing as an underdog had helped him. He can take so many positives from this week. Against WENG Hong Yang he showed a willingness to use his aggression to dominate the net; his movement was fluid, and his shots were sharp. Notably, he hasn’t journeyed deep into a tournament for so long and this will be great to improve his match stamina.

What can we expect in Copenhagen at the World Championships? Realistically the challenge continues to be consistency. However, with his team, he is working on the toolkit to transform himself into a better player. The journey is just beginning.

if you enjoyed this take a look at my article about LZJ and Coach Wong https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/07/29/lee-zii-jia-and-plan-b/

LEE Zii Jia and Plan B

Now the challenge for Lee Zii Jia and his coaching team is to tap into his incredible talents and help him find his groove again.

2PFH65M Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK. 17th Mar, 2023. 2023 YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships, Quarter Finals Day 4; Kodai NARAOKA versus LEE Zii Jia in the Mens Singles competition, LEE Zii Jia celebrates winning the match Credit: Action Plus Sports/Alamy Live News

It is essential to keep a frustrating situation in perspective. Remember, not too long ago he was a top 3 seeded player -a testament to his talent and skill – it is crucial to acknowledge that he has not regressed into a sub-par player overnight. Like any athlete there are difficulties and the journey to peak performance can be arduous.

Bringing WONG Tat Meng on board as his coaching director is a statement of ambition. He has a great cv and a broad experience of nurturing players to reach their full potential all over the world. He has come home to Malaysia to use this expertise to strengthen LZJ for the challenges ahead.

And so – for now – we must regard LZJ as dynamic work in progress. He is desperate to show that his sweat on the practice court equals trophies on the show court, but it is a transformational process that has to evolve. He needs more routes to victory when he cannot blast his way past an opponent; so, by reworking his game to incorporate different options depending on the challenges of the match he will become a more resilient player.

WTM must unpick and analyse the elements of LZJ’s game that are not working. They have to refine and enhance. All this against the whirlwind of endless tournaments, unrelenting press pressure and his player’s self-criticism. So, he has identified his first priorities as: consistency, improving ranking and securing qualification for the Paris Olympics next year.

The World Championships are looming, and it is probable that he will be arriving in Copenhagen as an unseeded player. The important thing is not only how far he can advance through the rounds but also the trajectory of his metamorphosis. Will he prolong rallies? What is going to happen to his unorthodox smash? Does he have the physical stamina to go deep into the draw after his recent early exits?

Sun Tzu said that victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. As I reflect on Lee Zii Jia, I firmly believe that he does have the mental agility to innovate and the grit to persevere through difficult times. Champions are not solely defined by victory but by their courage in defeat and determination to overcome any obstacle placed in their path. Triumph over adversity is the ultimate measure of greatness.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at my recent article about WS and the Fab Four https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/05/06/badmintons-fab-four-the-womens-singles-players-who-dominate-the-sport/

Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan: Players of the Day.

Pearly Tan & Thinaah Muralitharan seemed destined for a two-set exit at the Axiata Arena today but then something extraordinary happened.

By the middle of the second set the two Malaysians were struggling to get any sort of foothold in the match. Fukushima and Hirota were consistently winning rallies as they ensnared their opponents in a war of attrition. They were repeatedly sending up big clears, extending rallies and targeting a visibly exhausted Pearly for point after point.

Suddenly something shifted. The fans detected a glimmer of…something… and a resistance was born. Intelligently Tan & Thinaah called the Japanese bluff and turned their strategy back on them. Perhaps the exertions of last week’s Sudirman cup started to be felt. Incredibly they managed to level the scores and then held on under incredible pressure to force a decider.

The third set began horrifically for PearThin and I suspected that they had given too much to stay in the match. They were 1-6 down before they managed to start clawing their way back into the tie. There was a mesmerizing rhythm to the exchanges. The Malaysian pair kept prolonging the rallies and Hirota especially was put under immense stress. Between them, FukuHiro misjudged the baseline 5 times in the first half of the last set and Tan/Thinaah seized their chance.

All four athletes were tired, seemingly functioning on muscle memory as they fought from point to point. All four should be proud of their resilience and desire. But with the score deadlocked on 12-12 Pearly – completely depleted – summoned up some last energy and scored a big point at the net: 13-12.

The duo who never give up just didn’t give up. The lucky spectators at the Perodua Malaysia Masters were treated to an exhibition of resilience, teamwork and spirit with touches of brilliance at key moments. They closed out the final set 21-16. What a day for Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, fantastic! That was a GAME.

If you enjoyed this take a look at my old article about Tan/Thinaah. It needs an update but it’s still fun to read https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/11/21/pearly-tan-thinaah-muralitharan/ or this one about FukuHiro https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2021/08/27/yuki-and-sayaka-at-the-olympics/

Badminton’s Fab Four: The Women’s Singles Players Who Dominate the Sport

The crème de la crème of Women’s Singles was on the podium at the Badminton Asia Championships this year. TAI Tzu Ying, AN Se Young, Akane Yamaguchi and CHEN YuFei are four outstanding players who represent peak excellence.

It is no surprise that millions of fans worldwide tune in to their matches. While their formidable skills on court are a big factor in this, their heart-warming interactions in Dubai exemplified the best sporting behaviour. Let’s take a closer look at the individuals who make up the Fab Four.

TAI Tzu Ying

TTY is a true icon of the badminton world. Armed with a dangerous combination of unscripted brilliance and technical mastery, spontaneity and deception are part of her DNA. Her creative vision has elevated the sport to a new level. She won the Gold medal at what could be her final BAC. She is badminton’s Most Valuable Player.

CHEN YuFei

As the reigning Olympic champion CYF has nothing to prove. She has been quoted as saying that she no longer wishes to compete ‘ruthlessly’ however she approaches matches with great fighting spirit. Unyielding grit paired with patience and superb technical skills makes her an intimidating rival. After winning Bronze in Dubai she was obviously delighted to be sharing a podium with Akane. Previously, she has mused on Weibo how she would like the opportunity to be friends. Following the medal ceremony she posted memorable pictures of the four of them on her social media which immediately went viral. She couldn’t tag Akane at first, but the Japanese player eventually followed her account after she complained.

Akane Yamaguchi

Akane, the current two-time World Champion, is renowned for her pacey court coverage and relentless stamina making her a very hard player to beat. Despite her small stature, opponent’s shots are rarely out of her reach. She stays focused and never gives up. There are plenty of epic battles ahead between her and AN Se Young.

AN Se Young

The new kid on the block has been enjoying a stupendous 2023. Her challenge to the status quo shows no sign of slowing down; in fact she has all the confidence and determination of a champion who knows her moment has arrived.

I love the Fab Four

As the Paris Olympics loom, the sun is setting on what has been a truly magnificent era in Women’s Singles – a Golden Age that has enthralled fans across the globe. TAI Tzu Ying has confirmed that she wants to retire after the Games. The passion and dedication of these four brilliant players have elevated the sport to new heights, inspiring us with their unrivaled skills and determination. Let’s savour every chance we get to be dazzled by these superb players.

If you enjoyed this you may like my post about TAI Tzu Ying’s victory at BAC2023 https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/04/30/tai-tzu-ying-asian-champion-again/

I’m very grateful to one of TAI Tzu Ying’s biggest fans – Kelly Chen – who kindly allowed me to use her personal photos from Dubai to illustrate this article. She has an excellent YouTube channel (@KellyChenTW) if you would like to see more clips of TTY.

I would also like to mention that I used Shu translating’s account on Twitter (@shitouyuqi) to get a sense of what was said by CYF on Weibo. This is a great account to follow if you love badminton.

TAI Tzu Ying: Asian Champion (Again!)

TAI Tzu Ying is the Champion of Asia, securing the title for a third time with an unyielding display of aggression and precision against AN Se Young in the final.

TTY’s dominance stunned her Korean rival. By refusing to be lured into long rallies; she seized the opportunity to be the aggressor and deployed smashes, drives and drops wherever possible. AN Se Young had taken to the court with a heavily strapped knee and as the match progressed, she struggled to disrupt Tzu Ying’s progress. Under enormous pressure she was misjudging length and line calls as the score kept ticking up.

TAI Tzu Ying kept control over the tempo of the encounter well. The courts in Dubai have helped athletes who kindle and harness speed; she showed no fear. Totally trusting her game plan – and instinct to attack – her hunger for points was unstoppable. Set one flew by in twelve minutes: 21-10. Set two followed a similar pattern and was closed out 21-14.

As TAI Tzu Ying contemplates the end of her career, I am sure she recognizes the preciousness of each moment on court. As fans we see an added depth and poignancy to every contest, relishing each hard-fought title. This latest win just serves to reinforce her place amongst the legends of the sport. The Queen is the Queen.

If you enjoyed this then take a look at this one from my archive that I wrote after TTY won the All England for the third time https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2020/03/23/tai-tzu-ying-the-triple-champion/ or this one about AN Se Young https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/03/03/an-se-young/

Autumn leaves falling

TAI Tzu Ying steps on the court

Still she bewitches

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Set 1: Advantage Lee Zii Jia 21-14

Set 2

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Men’s Singles

Women’s Singles

Predictions?

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TAI Tzu Ying

CHEN YuFei

Akane Yamaguchi

AN Se Young

I love the Fab Four

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