Nguyen Thuy Linh's Struggle Continues at the Indonesia Masters 2024
Leon To
Sun Jan 28 2024
The road to the Paris 2024 Olympics for Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh has hit a rough patch. Following her recent defeat against Chinese player Gao Fang Jie, ranked 33rd in the world, it seems that Thuy Linh's chances of securing a seeded position are becoming uncertain. This loss marks her second defeat this year after competing in the prestigious India Open Super 750.
Compared to Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong, who is ranked 15th in the world, Gao Fang Jie holds a lower ranking. However, it is essential to note that she represents China. While Fang Jie's skill level may not match up to her Chinese counterparts such as He Bingjiao, Han Yue, or Wang Zhi Yi, the 25-year-old beauty has proven her resilience and determination on the court, previously reaching a world ranking of 13.
Both players engaged in long rallies, showcasing their endurance. However, Fang Jie displayed greater accuracy in her shots, giving her a slight advantage. Despite constantly catching up during the match with a score of 15-15, 17-17, 18-18, 19-19, and 20-20, Thuy Linh's comeback fell short due to a frustrating high deep shot from her opponent. The Vietnamese player attempted to smash the shuttlecock from the right side of the court, but it hit out of bounds, resulting in a disappointing 20-22 loss in the first game.
Moving on to the second game, Thuy Linh's physical condition seemed less than optimal. She initially kept up with Fang Jie, but eventually fell behind as the Chinese player took the lead. Despite attempting to narrow the gap at 8-9, Fang Jie quickly extended her advantage to 20-11. Thuy Linh managed to salvage three match points but ultimately conceded defeat with a score of 14-21.
Nguyen Thuy Linh's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics is encountering obstacles, with her recent loss against Gao Fang Jie highlighting the challenges she faces. As the Indonesian Masters concludes, Thuy Linh has not been listed to participate in the upcoming Thailand Masters Super 300. While she regroups, fellow Vietnamese players Nguyen Hai Dang and the couple Nguyen Tien Minh and Vu Thi Trang will represent Vietnam in this tournament.