Basel, Switzerland – Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam overcame a slow start to secure a hard-fought victory over Germany’s Yvonne Li at the Swiss Open 2026 on Tuesday, March 11th. The match, a first-round contest in the women’s singles draw, saw Linh rally from a first-game deficit to win 2-1 (11-21, 21-15, 21-17). The win propels the world No. 26 into the second round of the BWF World Tour Super 300 event, but she’ll face a significant challenge in the form of third-seeded Tomoka Miyazaki.
The opening game proved difficult for Linh, as she fell behind early against Li. Li took control, winning the first game decisively 21-11. However, Linh demonstrated resilience, adjusting her strategy and finding her rhythm in the subsequent games. The Vietnamese player battled back, securing the second game 21-15 and then edging out Li 21-17 in a closely contested third game to claim the victory.
This Swiss Open appearance comes after a first-round exit for Linh at the All England Open earlier in March. The tournament, held at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, offers a total prize purse of $250,000 (approximately 6.5 billion Vietnamese Dong).
Now, Linh prepares to face a formidable opponent in Tomoka Miyazaki. The 20-year-old Japanese player is currently ranked No. 9 in the world and is the No. 3 seed in the tournament. Miyazaki has enjoyed a rapid ascent in the badminton world, highlighted by a junior world championship title in 2022. She has continued to build on that success, reaching the final of the China Open in 2024 (a Super 1000 event) and claiming the title at the Taiwan Open in 2025 (a Super 300 tournament, comparable to the Swiss Open).
Miyazaki’s energetic playing style and promising potential make her a favorite in this matchup. However, Linh brings a wealth of experience to the court, honed through years of international competition. Her composure and tactical awareness will be crucial as she attempts to navigate the challenge posed by the rising Japanese star. A victory for Linh would secure her a place in the quarterfinals of the Swiss Open 2026.
The match between Nguyen Thuy Linh and Tomoka Miyazaki is scheduled for tonight, March 12th, at 8:45 PM local time (20:45 CET/UTC+1). Fans can follow updates and results on the official Badminton World Federation (BWF) website and through various sports news outlets. This second-round clash promises to be a compelling contest between a seasoned veteran and a dynamic young talent, and will undoubtedly test Linh’s ability to continue her impressive run at the Swiss Open.
For those unfamiliar with the BWF World Tour, the Super 300 level tournaments like the Swiss Open represent a key tier in the global badminton calendar. These events offer valuable ranking points and provide players with opportunities to gain experience and compete against some of the world’s best. The tournament format typically involves a qualification round followed by a main draw of 32 players in each discipline (men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles).
Linh’s journey at the Swiss Open so far demonstrates her ability to adapt and overcome adversity. After a difficult start against Yvonne Li, she showcased her determination and skill to secure a vital win. Now, facing a higher-ranked opponent in Tomoka Miyazaki, she will need to draw upon all her experience and tactical acumen to progress further in the tournament. The match is set to be a fascinating encounter, and badminton fans around the world will be watching with keen interest.
The stakes are high as both players aim to make a deep run in the tournament. For Miyazaki, a quarterfinal appearance would solidify her position among the elite players in the world. For Linh, it would represent a significant achievement and a boost to her ranking as she continues to represent Vietnam on the international stage.
Fans interested in following the Swiss Open can find the latest scores, schedules, and news on the official BWF website: https://bwfbadminton.com/. The tournament is also being covered by various sports news outlets, providing updates and analysis throughout the week.
