Tzu-ying has one major target - World Championships title

Quick reflex: Tai Tzu-ying of Taiwan returning a shot to Carolina Marin of Spain during the semi-finals of the women’s singles match of the Perodua Malaysian Masters yesterday. — AP

KUALA LUMPUR: Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying was indisputably the most successful women’s singles player last season.

The 23-year-old world No. 1 won six titles – the All-England, Malaysian Open, Singapore Open, Asian Badminton Championships, French Open and the Hong Kong Open.

But the incredibly talented Tzu-ying is still targeting one elusive title – this year’s World Championships in China in August.

Last year, she skipped the tournament to play for her country at the World University Games in Taiwan.

“The Asian Games (in Indonesia) and the World Championships are my two major events this year,” said Tzu-ying.

“I didn’t play at the world meet last year, so I would love to win it this year.

“It won’t be easy because the competition at the top is very stiff.

“It all comes down to the performance on the day.

“As the world No. 1, I’m the target of the other players.

“But that’s fine with me because if they overtake me, then it’s motivation for me to step up.”

Tzu-ying certainly showed why she’s the world’s best women’s singles player when she produced an amazing fightback to beat Spain’s world No. 4 Carolina Marin in the semi-finals of the Perodua Malaysian Masters.

The diminutive shuttler, who trailed Marin for most of the match, saved four match points before pulling off a 12-21, 21-15, 23-21 win at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

“I was trailing because I was making too many mistakes,” said Tzu-ying.

“It came down to who was more patient in the end and I was quite fortunate to make a comeback.

“The fans were supportive and I was fired up.”

The crowd favourite takes on Thailand’s world No. 5 Ratchanok Intanon, who downed world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-15, 16-21, 21-19, in the final today.

In women’s doubles, world No. 1 Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan of China edged world No. 4 Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota of Japan 15-21, 21-15, 21-14.

The reigning world champions are up against Denmark’s Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Christinna Pedersen, who overcame South Koreans Lee So-hee-Shin Seung-chan 21-15, 21-18 yesterday.