TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese badminton player Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎) triumphed in her first match at the Japan Open 2024 on Tuesday (Aug. 20), advancing to the round of 16. This victory marks her return to competition following her emotional farewell at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Tai defeated India's Ashmita Chaliha with scores of 21-16, 21-12, showcasing her resilience and skill despite recent injuries. With several notable players absent from the Japan Open 2024, including South Korea's An Se-young, China's Chen Yufei (陳雨菲), and Spain's Carolina Marin, Tai stands out as the top seed.
In her last Olympic match, Tai lost to Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon, ending her Olympic journey in tears due to injuries. After focusing on recovery, Tai made a strong comeback at the Japan Open 2024, defeating Chaliha in straight sets in their first encounter.
Tai will next compete against Ukraine's Polina Buhrova for a spot in the quarterfinals. Fans eagerly anticipate her performance as she aims to continue her winning streak.