Toyota Thailand Open 2021: Women’s Singles SF review

Toyota Thailand Open 2021: Women’s Singles SF review
Marin An Se Young
Carolina Marin beat An Se Young

It was a spectacular day in the semi-final round of the Toyota Thailand Open. The match line-up of the women’s singles category was truly exciting with top players in contention for the coveted Super 1000 title.

Carolina Marin, the Olympic champion got the better off the Korean youngster An Se Young. The two had met each other at the semi-final stage just last week at the Yonex Thailand Open. The Spaniard had won the game 21-16 and 21-18 in 51 minutes. Interestingly Marin won today as well 21-19, 21-15 in 51 minutes. The Korean teenagers with fluid footwork and soft touched strokes kept up point to point with Marin, especially in the first game. The mentally tougher and more experienced fifth seed from Spain, however, dominated the game at crucial moments, clinching the games in her favour, making her way to yet another final.

“I’m much happier today than the rest of the games I played this week,” said Marin. “Sometimes it’s tough for the mindset when you win a tournament just three days ago and you have to start a tournament all over again. You have to keep all your focus every day. So I’m very happy that I could reach my second final.

“I felt like there was more drift in the hall than last week. Today one of the important parts of the game was to control the shuttle. I started on the slow side and she didn’t want to play to the backcourt, so I had to keep all my focus in the front and just try to keep moving there and keep the shuttle on court and not make mistakes.”

Terrific Tai makes a thrilling comeback

The second women’s semi-final match was an absolute thriller. It was an hour of absolutely delightful top-class badminton. Fourth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand was in complete control of the first game. Tai Tzu Ying looked clueless and committed several errors. It might have been obvious to conclude, Tai was off colour and the game was all Rathacnok’s.

FS Video

However, the second game was a complete mirror image of the first. Tai Tzu Ying came up with her spectacular shots, moving better around the court and wrapped up the second game 21-12.

The third game had the viewers literally on the edge of their seat. Goodness, what a thriller that was. The game went point to point until midway in the second half. Post that, Ratchnok took up a 20-16 lead with four match point opportunities. The world number one proved why she was numero uno, by making a spectacular comeback with exceptional gameplay mixing up long rollies of over 40 shots, to smashes finding the lines and meticulous netplay. She sealed the match in her favour to storm into the finals, 12-21, 21-12, and 23-21.

“In the final moments of the match I just enjoyed playing badminton on the court again,” said Tai. “For tomorrow, my main issue is managing my unforced errors and from watching Marin’s matches, I can say she’s very fast and I’ll try to keep up.”

In a repeat of the finals, last week at the Yonex Thailand Open, The top women’s singles players meet again in the finals of Toyota Thailand Open. Carolina Marin was crowned the Yonex Thailand Open Champion in a one-sided game. It would be interesting to see who will be crowned this week.

Also Read: Toyota Thailand Open: India out of men’s doubles title contention with semi-final loss