Top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying pushed through a challenging second game to clinch a 21-8, 23-21 victory against Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt at the Thailand Open to set the women’s singles final with former world No 1 Carolina Marin. The Spaniard trounced South Korean teenager An Se-young 21-16, 21-16 on Saturday.
The men’s singles final will be between Viktor Axelsen and Ka Long Angus Ng. Axelsen mounted a strong comeback against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting to win 21-19, 13-21, 21-13 in 63 minutes while Angus beat the second seed Chou Tien Chen 17-21, 21-18, 21-15.
Tai Tzu player made a strong start, but Blichfeldt’s strong defence caused her problems.
“In the second game, the speed of the shuttle was different down that end and I had to adapt to that,” said Tai. “I didn’t feel any negative situation for myself, and I think if I play like this, I’m so ready for tomorrow,” she said.
The Thailand Open is the first of three consecutive tournaments in Bangkok culminating in the World Tour Finals from January 27.
Flown in a week before the start for quarantine and testing, the players are facing off in a bio-secure “bubble”, with no spectators allowed.