Korean schoolgirl shocks Tai as China into Sudirman Cup last 8
Print Edition
Seventeen-year-old South Korean schoolgirl An Se-Young stunned Chinese Taipei’s world No. 1 Tai Tzu-ying at the Sudirman Cup yesterday to burnish her fast-growing reputation.
Rising star An, who is ranked 50th in the world, roared back to defeat Tai 14-21, 21-18, 21-16 in 66 thrilling minutes in the southern Chinese city of Nanning.
Chinese Taipei and title-holder South Korea were already into the quarterfinals of the mixed-team world championships, but this was further evidence of An’s precocious talent.
China, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand are also into the knockout stages.
The teenager An, who won the New Zealand Open earlier this month, said: “My strategy was to defend at the beginning of each rally and then to take my opportunity.
“My coach advised me to pay attention to the front and keep the rally going.
“I’m surprised I could beat her.”
The 24-year-old Tai said that she had a niggling injury but did not use that as an excuse.
“She’s tall, powerful and has very good footwork,” the Chinese Taipei shuttler said of her young opponent, who only turned 17 in February.
“She’s good in all aspects of the game. She will be an outstanding player in future for sure.”
China eased to victory to send India home and propel itself and Malaysia into the last eight.
The hosts are yet to drop a match in Nanning, hammering Malaysia 5-0 in their opener and then dismissing India by the same comprehensive scoreline.
Along with top seed Japan, China — a 10-time winner of the Sudirman Cup — is a favorite to lift the coveted trophy on Sunday.
Saina Nehwal, India’s 2015 world silver-medalist, was well beaten by Chen Yufei, the third-ranked Chinese winning 21-12, 21-17 in 33 minutes.
“I have had some trouble with my wrist and ankle and didn’t want to push too hard,” said the defeated 29-year-old, pinpointing Tuesday’s loss to Malaysia as being fatal to India’s hopes.
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