Vietnamese badminton player Nguyễn Thùy Linh exited the women’s singles tournament in the Round of 16 after a hard-fought three-set defeat against world No. 4 Chen Yu Fei of China. The match tested the tournament favorite, requiring three sets and a dramatic 46-point second set before the Chinese competitor secured the 2-1 victory with set scores of 21-12, 22-24, 21-12.
Early Control and Opening Set Dominance
Entering the match as the clear favorite based on rankings and history, Chen Yu Fei held a 3-0 record in previous meetings against Thùy Linh, who is ranked No. 32 in the world. The opening set followed expectations as Chen took early control with precise shot-making, denying the Vietnamese athlete any opportunity to establish rhythm and claiming a 21-12 win.
The Dramatic Momentum Shift in Set Two
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set.
Thùy Linh increased her defensive workload, proactively extending rallies and capitalizing on unforced errors from her opponent. Chen eventually earned two match points, but Thùy Linh kept her composure to erase both deficits. She secured a 24-22 victory in a grueling set that spanned 46 total points, forcing a decisive third frame.
Chen Rebounds to Seal the Decider
In the final set, Chen mounted a decisive response, jumping out to a 10-1 lead. While Thùy Linh attempted to mount a comeback, the early deficit proved insurmountable. Chen closed out the third set 21-12 to seal the match.
Remaining Vietnamese Contenders in the Draw
Prior to the Round of 16 exit, Thùy Linh advanced past the second round by defeating Indonesia’s Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan in straight sets, 21-15, 21-10.
Following the conclusion of matches on September 26, Nguyễn Đình Hoàng and Trần Đình Mạnh remain the sole representatives of Vietnamese badminton active in the competition, having advanced to the men’s doubles quarterfinals scheduled for September 27.
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