Double Disappointment for Vietnam's Number 1 Badminton Player Nguyen Thuy Linh at the India Open 2024
Ashley
Sat Jan 27 2024
In a disappointing turn of events, Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh faced a double setback on the opening day of the India Open 2024. The match against Pornpawee Chochuwong not only resulted in Linh dropping to the 22nd rank in the world, but also showcased the vast difference in rankings between the two players. Chochuwong's familiarity with Linh's playing style, having trained together in Thailand, played a crucial role in her victory.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance and taking an early lead at 13-8, Linh eventually succumbed to Chochuwong's tenacity and lost the match 19-21, 12-21. Meanwhile, top-ranked female badminton players like Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Beiwen Zhang, and He Bingjiao advanced to the second round.
In the men's singles category, a surprise upset occurred in the Indian derby, as Priyanshu Rajawat defeated former champion Lakshya Sen, 16-21, 21-16, 21-13. However, this result did not come as a fluke, as Rajawat had previously showcased his skills by winning the Orleans Masters 300 years ago.
Rajawat's victory was attributed to his timely decision-making, as he requested a break when Sen began to narrow the point gap from 1-9 to 5-9 in the decisive third game. Reflecting on a previous match in Japan where he had lost a lead of 18-14 in the third set, Rajawat strategically slowed down the pace of the game and played according to his own speed.
Sen, on the other hand, admitted that his lack of stability and the tendency to lose too many points by sticking to his natural playing style were the reasons behind his early elimination. He recognized the need to develop a plan and adhere to it consistently, especially in prolonged three-game matches, where patience and seizing the right opportunities become crucial.
The India Open 2024 kicked off with disappointment for Vietnam's top-ranked female badminton player, Nguyen Thuy Linh, as she suffered a defeat at the hands of Pornpawee Chochuwong. The tournament also saw an unexpected upset in the men's singles category, with Priyanshu Rajawat eliminating former champion Lakshya Sen. As the competition progresses, badminton enthusiasts eagerly await future matches, including Rajawat's upcoming duel with India's HS Prannoy, ranked 8th in the world.
Tags: Badminton, India Open 2024, Nguyen Thuy Linh, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Priyanshu Rajawat, Lakshya Sen, Upsets, Rankings, Tactics.