Taipei Open: Tai Tzu-ying overcomes tough schedule, advances to quarterfinals

Taiwanese badminton star Tai Tzu-ying advanced to the quarterfinals of the Taipei Open after a hard-fought three-game victory over Japan's Ami Yonekura. The world No. 1 secured the win with a score of 21-13, 18-21, 21-14, but the demanding schedule presented a significant challenge.

Tai revealed she had only about five hours of sleep before her match on Wednesday. Her previous day's match didn't conclude until nearly 11 p.m., and after recovery and treatment, she didn't get to rest until past 2 a.m. Despite the lack of sleep, she managed to win her Round of 16 match, which lasted over an hour.

"This is a problem that all players encounter; it tests everyone's recovery ability," Tai commented on the tight schedule. She admitted that playing three-game matches on consecutive days led to noticeable fatigue in the final set of her latest match. She emphasized the need for swift recovery to prepare for her next opponent.

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This is a problem that all players encounter; it tests everyone's recovery ability.

Tai also spoke about overcoming recurring mental challenges, particularly a tendency to overthink and become hesitant after making errors. "It's become a bit of a mental block for me, and I still need to find a way to overcome these things," she confessed. Despite the pressure, she expressed gratitude for the strong support from the home crowd, admitting initial nervousness but ultimately feeling surprised and happy.

In the quarterfinals, Tai Tzu-ying is set to face Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh, who holds a slight edge in their previous encounters with two wins out of three. Another Taiwanese player, Peng Yu-wei, was eliminated after a close three-game match against Nguyen Thuy Linh.

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It's become a bit of a mental block for me, and I still need to find a way to overcome these things.