Huelva: Japan’s World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi spoiled World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying’s bid of becoming the first women’s singles player from Taiwan to ever win the World Championships by beating Tai 21-14, 21-11 in the final on Sunday.
“I knew Tai is a very tough opponent, and when the match ended, I was happy because I won,” said Yamaguchi after the match.
“I don’t have any special celebration after the victory. I am going to stay at home, peace and rest,” added Yamaguchi.
Meanwhile, Tai was clearly disappointed and was not satisfied with her performance in the final.
“My performance today was not that good. I couldn’t play with the speed I’d like to play, and I wasn’t controlling the shuttlecock very well,” said Tai.
Despite the loss, Tai, however, gave her fans a piece of good news and reassurance that she is not retiring from badminton after the World Championships.
“Yes, that’s not true,” answered Tai when she was asked about the rumor that she will be retiring from badminton soon.
In the mixed doubles competition final, World No. 1 Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand faced World No. 4 Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino for the sixth time in 2021. Both pairs have recorded a total of seven career meetings, and six of their seven meetings occurred in 2021.
Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai ultimately made history on Sunday, clinching the first mixed doubles world champion for Thailand by beating Watanabe/Higashino 21-13, 21-14 in the final.
Mixed doubles winners of the 2021 World Championships:
(source: Badminton Europe)
China’s 2017 women’s doubles World Champions, Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan recaptured the World’s title by overcoming World No. 4 Lee Sohee/Shin Seungchan of Korea 21-16, 21-17.
Women’s doubles winners of the 2021 World Championships:
(source: Badminton Europe)
