Young Indian sensation Tanvi Sharma has won the Taipei Open Super 300 badminton tournament. The 17-year-old from Punjab defeated sixth-seeded Thuy Linh Nguyen of Vietnam in straight games in the women’s singles final on Sunday (August 2), claiming her first BWF World Tour title. Last year’s US Open Super 300 runner-up, Tanvi defeated Nguyen 21-16, 21-16 in the final in 36 minutes.
After her victory, Tanvi said, “I am extremely happy to win this title here.” Tanvi, who became the youngest champion in Taipei Open history at the age of 17 years and 222 days, broke the record of Taiwanese legend Tai Tzu Ying. After her historic title win, Tanvi said, “I didn’t expect to win this tournament. My goal was to give my best. I focused on one match at a time and performed well throughout the tournament.”
First Indian since Saina Nehwal
Tanvi, coached by PV Sindhu’s former mentor Park Tae Sang, is the first Indian to win the Taipei Open women’s singles title since Saina Nehwal in 2008. She lost only one game throughout the tournament. Tanvi said, “I was very nervous, but I just thought I had to give my 100 percent and trust my natural game.”
She further said, “Playing five consecutive matches wasn’t easy for me, but I had to maintain consistency throughout the tournament. Now I have to work even harder to perform well in Super 500 and Super 750 level tournaments. I will continue to work hard.”
Tanvi’s aggressive start in the final
Tanvi, who had also defeated Nguyen during her run to the US Open final, started the title match aggressively. She repeatedly troubled Nguyen with her effective drop shots, taking a 4-1 lead. Using a masterful mix of drop shots and cross-court smashes, the Indian player extended her lead to 10-2. The Vietnamese player struggled to read Tanvi’s game and accurately judge the shuttle’s direction. However, Tanvi then made a series of unforced errors, allowing Nguyen to make a comeback. Despite this, Tanvi maintained a three-point lead at the break with a powerful smash.
After halftime, Tanvi regained her momentum, landing powerful smashes from both sides to take a 15-9 lead. Despite losing some points at the net and backcourt, she maintained her control. After securing five game points, she sealed the first game with a cross-court smash. After the court change, Nguyen made a quick start, taking a 3-0 lead and making Tanvi run all over the court.
A strong comeback in the second game
The Indian player gradually gained control of the rallies and equalized the score at 3-3 with a brilliant net shot. She then continuously pushed her opponent into the backcourt, maintaining pressure with her measured shots at the net. Tanvi took an 8-4 lead. However, a few errors by Tanvi once again allowed the Vietnamese player to reduce the gap to 7-8. Tanvi managed to take an 11-8 lead at the break.
Tanvi then gradually extended her lead to 15-10 and then 18-12. Her deceptive shots consistently earned her crucial points. Her challenge for a line call at 19-12 failed, but she quickly earned seven match points with a powerful smash. Despite losing three initial match points, Tanvi seized her fourth opportunity to win the match and her first BWF World Tour title. In an emotional moment after the victory, Tanvi removed her gold medal and placed it around Coach Park’s neck. The two then posed for photographs together.
Tanvi also achieved these milestones
Tanvi also became the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history at the age of 17 years and 222 days. She surpassed Korea’s legendary doubles player Lee Yong Dae, who was 17 years and 287 days old when he reached the men’s doubles final in 2006.
Former world junior number one Tanvi is the first Indian to win two medals in the same season at the World Junior Championships. She won a silver medal in the girls’ singles category and a bronze medal in the mixed team event. She was also a member of the Indian team that won the country’s first gold medal at the Asian Team Championships.