Thuy Linh: 'Winning Vietnam Open 2023 thanks to mental strength'
Before the final at Nguyen Du Gymnasium on the evening of September 17, Thuy Linh was rated higher than Japanese tennis player Akari Kurihara. Besides the cheers of a large home crowd, she is also the number one seed and stands 129 places above her opponent in the world.
Set 1, with a variety of adjustments, Thuy Linh won easily with a score of 21-14. However, in set 2, the match reversed. Kurihara often let go and loosened his hands, making it difficult for Thuy Linh to defend. Many times the home player had to lie down on the court because he was tired and accepted to lose 11-21.
After the match, Thuy Linh explained: "This is the fourth consecutive tournament I have played in a short period of time. With the density of one match per day, my physical strength dropped significantly in set 2, giving Kurihara a chance to equalize." ".
In set 3, the number one player in Vietnam continued to have difficulty. At one point, she was led by Kurihara with a difference of five points. As the Japanese tennis player inched up to 16-11 and then 17-13, anxiety covered the stands at Nguyen Du Gymnasium.
However, at the crucial moment, the player from Phu Tho rose up strongly, changed his game, scored seven points in a row and led his opponent 20-17. The excitement that followed helped Thuy Linh advance to victory 21-19, to successfully defend the Vietnam Open championship.
"When I encountered difficulties in set 3, I reassured myself. I told myself to try and not give up. I always tried and determined until the last second and won," Thuy Linh speak. "For the second time winning the tournament, I feel very proud of my fighting spirit."
After the championship, Thuy Linh will focus on the Vietnamese badminton team before going to China to attend ASIAD 19. "I will try for the Vietnamese flag, play hard and try to bring good results." best at ASIAD 19," she said.
Vietnam Open 2023 belongs to the Super 100 system of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), held annually in Ho Chi Minh City and is the largest badminton tournament in Vietnam. This year's prize has a total prize fund of 100,000 USD, higher than 75,000 USD last year. Each singles champion will receive 7,600 USD.
