Changzhou: The China Open women’s singles semifinals are poised for electrifying action as the esteemed “Big Four”, An Se Young, Akane Yamaguchi, Chen Yufei, and Tai Tzu Ying, affectionately also known as the “F4”, are all set for yet another rendezvous on the court.
The “Big Four” has cemented their supremacy in the sport, as this rendezvous in Changzhou marks their sixth collective venture to the semifinals this season alone. Their previous skirmishes span acclaimed championships including the Malaysia Open, All England Open, Asian Badminton Championships, Singapore Open, and the Korea Open.
The Chinese sensation, Chen Yufei, currently sitting third on the world ladder, showcased a riveting performance to best her compatriot, He Bingjiao, 21-18, 21-11. Despite He’s prior mastery over Chen, boasting seven wins in their past 11 bouts, this day belonged to Chen. Facing a daunting 13-6 deficit in the opening game, she orchestrated a tenacious 10-1 surge. Later, facing another hiccup trailing 17-18, Chen’s resilience saw her triumph. The subsequent game saw her in command from the beginning until the end, decisively sealing her semi-final berth to face Japan’s stalwart and World No. 2, Akane Yamaguchi.
Highlights of Chen Yufei vs. He Bingjiao in the 2023 China Open quarter-finals:
Yamaguchi, not to be outdone, extended her remarkable winning streak to seven matches, dispatching Denmark’s Line Højmark Kjaersfeldt 21-15, 21-13, and securing her spot among the “Big Four”.
Tai Tzu-Ying of Taiwan, ranked fourth globally, pulled off a sensational comeback against Spanish maestro Carolina Marin, clinching a nail-biting victory of 21-17, 10-21, 21-19. Concurrently, An Se Young showcased her mettle with a gallant come-from-behind win over China’s Han Yue, 15-21, 21-15, 21-17.
Highlights of Tai Tzu Ying vs. Carolina Marin in the 2023 China Open quarter-finals:
Interestingly, Tai’s record against An leans heavily in the latter’s favor, with Tai managing just two wins to An’s eight, including four straight defeats in their recent meetings. With An’s momentum at an all-time high, all eyes are set on Tai as the badminton community eagerly awaits to see if she can rewrite the script. This upcoming duel between An and Tai is undoubtedly the match to watch on Saturday.
