Tai Tzu Ying Stunned by World No. 1 An Se Young at French Open 2024
Ashley
Mon Mar 11 2024
Tai Tzu Ying, the world number 2 badminton player, suffered a shocking defeat against the top-ranked An Se Young at the French Open 2024. Despite her recent brilliant form, Tai Tzu Ying's uncharacteristic errors cost her the semifinal match against the Korean powerhouse.
An Se Young expressed relief after the match, acknowledging her luck and admitting that she thought she was going to lose. Tai Tzu Ying's sudden and continuous mistakes were evident throughout the game. From a tied score of 12-12 in the opening game, Tai Tzu Ying made nine consecutive errors, allowing her opponent to take the lead. In the second game, despite leading 12-6, she allowed An Se Young to catch up at 14-14. This pattern repeated in the third game, where Tai Tzu Ying led 14-7 and later held four match points at 20-16 before succumbing to the shock defeat.
Amidst her erratic performance, Tai Tzu Ying showcased moments of astonishing brilliance, producing spectacular shots. An Se Young, still recovering from a knee injury, fought hard to withstand Tai Tzu Ying's pressured plays. Despite a favorable score of 18-11 in the third game, Tai Tzu Ying couldn't seal the victory, falling short in crucial moments.
Tai Tzu Ying expressed regret for not being able to close out the match despite leading to match point at 20. She admitted lacking the necessary determination at every crucial point, acknowledging the difficulty of playing against An Se Young. An Se Young secured the victory with a score of 21-12, 17-21, 22-20, advancing to the women's singles final against Akane Yamaguchi, who had also overcome injury setbacks.
Yamaguchi defeated the reigning champion Chen Yu Fei 21-15, 18-21, 22-20 to reach the final for the first time since the Hong Kong Open in September 2023. Yamaguchi expressed joy in returning to the finals after struggling with injuries, praising her performance and the competitive spirit of her opponents. She highlighted the strong support from fans and looked forward to competing in France.
The French Open 2024 saw unexpected turns as Tai Tzu Ying's defeat and Akane Yamaguchi's resurgence set the stage for an exciting women's singles final. An Se Young's resilience and Tai Tzu Ying's missed opportunities created a thrilling spectacle for badminton enthusiasts worldwide.