KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10 — World number three women’s singles player Tai Tzu Ying has a strategic plan to skip the Asian leg of the BWF World Tours after the season-opening Malaysia Open which is scheduled from today until Sunday (January 15) in Axiata Arena here.
The 28-year-old Taiwanese, who is still carrying last season’s momentum after finishing runner-up in the season-ending World Tour Finals from December 7 to December 11 in Bangkok, would be taking over a month break for rest, conditioning and Chinese New Year celebrations, which will be celebrated on January 22.
This means, she will be skipping next week’s India Open from January 17 to January 22, Indonesia Masters (January 24 to January 29) and Thailand Masters (January 31 to February 5), and most probably get back to action with a new boost during the European-leg of the tournament, starting with German Open from March 7 and March 12.
“I still have my tournament feelings and do not have sufficient rest as the gap between last season and this season is not long. So I will be taking a rest to focus on recovery and be prepared for the Race to Paris Olympic Qualifications.
“I did not set any target for the Malaysia Open, and I like to play here. I just wanted to take one match at a time,” the reigning Olympics silver medallist told reporters here, today.
Tzu Ying, the two-time World Championship medallist, began her campaign by easily eliminating Spain’s Clara Azurmendi 21 – 10, 21 – 10 in the opening round today.
In the second round on Thursday, she will face Han Yue of China, who defeated former world number one Saina Nehwal of India 21 – 12, 17 – 21, 21 – 12.
The top 16 players (maximum two per nation) in the Race to Paris rankings from May 1 to April 28, 2024, will automatically qualify for the Olympics.
Meanwhile, world number five He Bing Jiao of China, become the tournament’s first high-profile casualty, when she was ousted 11 – 21, 17 – 21 by Indonesia Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
World number one women’s singles shuttler, Akane Yamaguchi of Japan, on the other hand, was stunned by 17 – 21 defeat to Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in the first game, before she bounced back to edge the Dane 21 – 13, 21 – 15.
— Bernama
