BWF Toyota Thailand Open Final: Tai Tzu Ying vs Carolina Marin | 24th Jan

A rematch of the Yonex Thailand Open finals sees Tai Tzu Ying once again face Carolina Marin in the finals of the Toyota Thailand Open. 

The World number 1 Tai Tzu Ling was made to work hard as she saved multiple match points edging past the fourth seed Ratchanok Intanon 12-21 21-12 23-21 in her semifinal.

 On the other hand, Carolina Marin outlasted the seventh seed An Se Young 21-19 21-15 in 50 minutes. 

Carolina Marin beat Tai Tzu Ling in the Thailand Open finals last week in straight games (21-9 21-16) and she will aim to win back to back titles.

Head to Head record

Tai Tzu Ling leads the head to head record 9-7 against Carolina Marin. 

“Sometimes it is tough for the mindset when you win a tournament just three days ago and you have to start a tournament all over again," said the Spaniard expressing her views about the hectic schedule this season. I am very happy with today's game, I have played much better than in all the previous games I have had this week," declared Marin quite satisfied with her performance. 

“In the final moments of the match I just enjoyed playing badminton on the court again,” opined Tai after her close victory against Intanon. 

"I can say Marin is very fast and I will try to keep up," said Tai indicating her game plan ahead of the finals. 

Game Analysis

Tai Tzu Ling is a clever tactician blessed with smart netplay. The Taiwanese shuttler may drop a game if she commits a lot of unforced errors. 

Carolina Marin will be oozing with confidence as her smashes are hitting the right spots. After winning her first title at last week's Thailand Open, she has looked unstoppable. The former World number 1 has also completely recovered from the knee surgery that forced her to miss 8 months of competitive action. 

 Her clever use of net and aggressive style of play have helped her to trouble her opponents. Marin has used controlled attacking and a variety of shotmaking to get points. 

If Tai Tzu Ling takes the first game, the match could go down to the wire. Having not lost a game yet in this tournament, Carolina Marin will be the strong favorite to continue her winning run in Thailand. Her chances to win the title will increase if she clinches the crucial first game. 

Prediction - Carolina Marin to win in three games 

Featured Image Credits - Badminton Europe