Korean schoolgirl, 17, stuns badminton world No.1 at Sudirman Cup

Source:AFP Published: 2019/5/22 19:23:42

Seventeen-year-old South Korean schoolgirl An Se-young stunned Chinese Taipei's world No.1 Tai Tzu-ying at the Sudirman Cup on Wednesday 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 Chinese city of Nanning.

Chinese Taipei and titleholders South Korea were already into the quarterfinals of the mixed-team world championships, but this was further evidence of An's precious talent.

The Chinese mailand team, 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 in the beginning of each rally and then to take my opportunity. 

"My coach advised me to pay ttention 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," she 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."

The Chinese mailand team eased to victory to send India home and propel themselves 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 seeds Japan, the hosts - the 10-time winners of the Sudirman Cup - are the favorites to lift the 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.



Posted in: MISCELLANY

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