Nguyen Thuy Linh Defeats Thai Opponent to Reach Vietnam Open 2025 Semifinals

Tennis player Nguyen Thuy Linh is the only representative of Vietnamese badminton to make it to the semi-finals. Photo: VnExpress

Top seed Nguyen Thuy Linh dominated the opening game with sharp, powerful shots to claim a commanding 21-10 win over Thailand's Thamonwan Nithiittikrai.

But the momentum shifted in the second game as the Vietnamese representative committed a series of unforced errors, repeatedly conceding points. In contrast, the Thai shuttler delivered an impressive performance, executing sharp placements that forced the player from Dong Nai into constant, exhausting movement. Thamonwan Nithiittikrai maintained her advantage to win the game 21-13, leveling the match at 1-1 and sending the quarterfinal into a deciding third game.

Making a strong comeback in the deciding game with a series of varied and skillful shots, Thuy Linh surged ahead midway through the game, leading 10-5. At one point, she extended her advantage to nine points at 15-6, then 17-8. However, the Thai player mounted a determined chase, scoring six consecutive points to narrow the gap to 14-17, then continuing to close in at 15-18 and 17-19. In the end, though, Thamonwan Nithiittikrai had to concede defeat after hitting the shuttle into the net. Clinching the third game 21-18, Nguyen Thuy Linh secured a 2-1 victory to book her place in the semi-finals of the women's singles at the Vietnam Open 2025.

Nguyen Thuy Linh (background) in her quarterfinal win over Thailand’s Thamonwan Nithiittikrai. Screenshot

Thuy Linh is the only representative of Vietnamese badminton in the semi-finals. The opponent of the Dong Nai player in the semi-finals taking place tomorrow is Kim Min Ji (Korea, ranked 123rd in the world).

Other Vietnamese players bowed out in the quarterfinals. In men's singles, Nguyen Hai Dang (world No. 63) fell 1-2 to China's Wang Zi Jun (world No. 159), despite leading 18-13 in the deciding game before conceding eight straight points to lose 21-18.

In the men's doubles, Nguyen Dinh Hoang and Tran Dinh Manh (world No. 96) were eliminated after a 1-2 defeat to Chinese Taipei's Chen Sheng-fa and Lu Chen (world No. 147).

By: Anh Huy

Translated by: Thu Cuc - Minho