Tai Tzu Ying put her foot down in Kuching at the Malaysia Open in a week where all the top players where there to battle for the trophy, Tai cemented why she is the current queen and world no. 1.
Big smiles from Tai Tzu Ying after winning her fourth Super Series title in a row
In the final Tai Tzu Ying faced the two times World Champion and reigning Olympic Champion from Spain, Carolina Marin. It was an intense battle, where both women fought hard to get the attacking edge on the rallies. Tai got off to a good start on the first game, but Marin came back with a high pace before winning the set 23-25. The women did not loosen the gas in the second game and kept pushing each other from corner to corner. In the end Tai got three set points at 20-17, but Marin managed to save them all equalized the score 20-20. Luckily Tai kept her cool and showed the way with two points to get the second set 22-20. The third and last game before a winner could be crowned started tight with a small advantage for Marin. Tai got back in the game and at 12-12 Tai managed to score 6 consecutive points which made the base for Tai to lift her arms winning the third and last set 21-13. The final score for the final ended 23-25 22-20 21-13 in a 86 minutes long battle, the entire match was played at a very high level and as an audience every minute was worth to watch.
After her triumph Tai had the pleasure to meet her fans for an autograph session
Tai Tzu Ying started her week well in Kuching getting wins in straight games against Indonesia’s Lyanny A. Mainaky and compatriot Pai Yu Po. In the quarterfinal she faced an upcoming Chinese player, Chen Yufei who had managed to beat PV Sindhu in the early rounds. The quarterfinal against China was a thrilling battled with a final score of 21-17 20-22 24-22.
The semifinal was against another VICTOR star, Sung Ji Hyun. Tai & Sung had played each other 20 times before this encounter and almost all matches have been dragged into tough physical and mental battles and in Kuching it was no exception, Sung and Tai had a 62-minute game before Tai eventually won the match with the score 20-22 21-13 21-12.
Korean no. 1 men's singles, Son Wan Ho performed well during the week and was close making it into the final for Malaysia Open. Unfortunately, he lost an 84 minutes battle against Chinese superstar Lin Dan with the scores 25-27 21-19 16-21.
Son Wan Ho made a strong performance in Kuching
As one of the main sponsors for Malaysia Open, VICTOR had the pleasure to present the players for autograph sessions for the fans. It was a great success and we truly thank the players and fans for a great week in Kuching.
Malaysia’s top pair Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong at a meet and greet with the fans
Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying charming their fans
Signatures to be put everywhere, here Yoo Yeon Seong and Kim Ha Na greeting the fans
The fans were able to join in for the competition to win a shirt of the players by stepping into the shuttlecock tube for a small game
A moment of silence at the VICTOR booth, it was great seeing you all there :)