Chen Yufei reacts during the women's singles semifinal match between Chen Yufei of China and Yamaguchi Akane of Japan at French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
PARIS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's Chen Yufei battled fiercely through three games but ultimately fell to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi 21-15, 18-21, 22-20, in a gripping women's singles semifinal at the 2024 Badminton French Open held on Saturday.
In the decisive game, the second-seed Chen managed to save two match points, trailing at 18-20, but couldn't sustain her scoring momentum. Yamaguchi seized the next two points to clinch the match.
Despite the slightly disappointing outcome, Chen emphasized the importance of using this competition as an opportunity to acclimate to the Olympic venue and to consolidate her experience promptly.
"After these matches, I feel I've adjusted to the venue's lighting, the direction of the airflow, and even my mentality. However, it's crucial to reflect upon these experiences, or else it might be forgotten in half a year," the 26-year-old commented.
This tournament served as a test event for the Paris Olympic Games, taking place at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena. This venue, dedicated to badminton and rhythmic gymnastics at the upcoming Summer Olympics, is the only permanent facility constructed within the smaller Paris area specifically for the Games.
As the reigning Olympic champion in women's singles, Chen's performance in this tournament was less than ideal. Nonetheless, her comeback victory over India's P.V. Sindhu in the quarterfinals, followed by the hard-fought match against Yamaguchi, showed a gradual improvement in her form.
"The first two matches didn't go as well as I hoped, so I approached today's game as a form of training. Despite the loss, I see it as an opportunity to further analyze and refine the details of my game," Chen stated.
Yamaguchi will face the top seed An Se-young from South Korea, in the final. The latter secured her spot by overcoming Tai Tzu-Ying from Chinese Taipei in another semifinal match with scores of 21-12, 17-21, 22-20.
In a thrilling final game against Tai, the current world championship winner mounted an incredible comeback from a seven-point deficit at 18-11 before overturning four match points at 20-16 with a 6-0 run, showcasing a remarkable turnaround.
In the mixed doubles, fourth seeds Feng Yanzhe/Huang Dongping dispatched fellow Chinese pair and reigning champions Jiang Zhenbang/Wei Yaxin to set up the final against South Korea's Seo Seung-Jae/Chae Yu-Jung. ■
Matsumoto Mayu (R)/Nagahara Wakana of Japan compete during the women's doubles semi-final match between Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan of China and Matsumoto Mayu/Nagahara Wakana of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Yamaguchi Akane competes during the women's singles semifinal match between Chen Yufei of China and Yamaguchi Akane of Japan at French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Liu Shengshu (R)/Tan Ning of China compete during the women's doubles semifinal match between Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning of China and Matsuyama Nami/Shida Chiharu of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Matsumoto Mayu (Front)/Nagahara Wakana of Japan compete during the women's doubles semi-final match between Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan of China and Matsumoto Mayu/Nagahara Wakana of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Matsuyama Nami (R)/Shida Chiharu of Japan celebrate after the women's doubles semi-final match between Liu Shengshu/Tan Ning of China and Matsuyama Nami/Shida Chiharu of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Chen Qingchen (R) /Jia Yifan of China talk during the women's doubles semi-final match between Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan of China and Matsumoto Mayu/Nagahara Wakana of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Yamaguchi Akane walks in prior to the women's singles semifinal match between Chen Yufei of China and Yamaguchi Akane of Japan at French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
Chen Qingchen (R)/Jia Yifan of China compete during the women's doubles semi-final match between Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan of China and Matsumoto Mayu/Nagahara Wakana of Japan at the Yonex French Open Badminton tournament in Paris, France, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)
