Published on: Monday, January 18, 2021
By: AFP
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Spain’s Carolina Marin celebrates beating Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying in their women’s singles final match at the Thailand Open badminton tournament in Bangkok on Sunday.
BANGKOK: Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin bolstered her chances of defending in Tokyo later this year after claiming the Thailand Open in Bangkok Sunday over top seed Tai Tzu-ying.
Despite having a cold, fourth seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark was electric in the men’s final against Hong Kong’s Angus Long, ranked eighth, claiming the title in straight sets.
Spaniard Marin, 27, a former world number one, was an imposing force with razor-sharp smashes, clever net work and an unmatched level of aggression and agility.
Watch highlights: Viktor Axelsen, Carolina Marin win singles titles at Thailand Open badminton
The Spaniard beat top seed Tai Tzu-ying in the final while the Denmark shuttler saw off Hong Kong’s Angus Long. Updated Jan 18, 2021 · 10:19 am AFP
Reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin bolstered her chances of defending in Tokyo later this year after claiming the Thailand Open in Bangkok Sunday over top seed Tai Tzu-ying.
Despite having a cold, fourth seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark was electric in the men’s final against Hong Kong’s Angus Long, ranked eighth, claiming the title in straight sets.
Spaniard Marin, 27, a former world number one, was an imposing force with razor-sharp smashes, clever net work and an unmatched level of aggression and agility.
ADDS men s singles
Top-ranked Tai Tzu-ying pushed through a challenging second set to clinch a 21-8, 23-21 victory against Denmark s Mia Blichfeldt and move into the finals of badminton s Thailand Open.
The Taiwanese player made a strong start, but Blichfeldt s strong defence caused her problems.
She said she would need to bring her A-game on Sunday when she faces Spain s Carolina Marin, a former world number one, in the final.
Earlier in the day, the Spaniard trounced South Korean teenager An Se-young 21-16, 21-16. 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