27-5-2023 (Kuala Lumpur) Taiwanese badminton player Lin Chun Yi displayed remarkable resilience as he secured a spot in the semifinals of the Malaysia Masters tournament. In an intense showdown against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, the 23-year-old left-hander emerged victorious with a thrilling score of 17-21, 30-29, 21-19 after a grueling two-hour match that left both players visibly exhausted.
Lin’s hard-fought triumph also carried the significance of eliminating the highest-ranked men’s singles player remaining in the tournament. Naraoka, aged 21, started the first game with a blazing performance, showcasing his powerful cross-court smashes and executing spectacular full-stretch dives to secure points.
Throughout the second game, Lin, who previously defeated local favorite Lee Zii Jia in the second round, found himself trailing for the majority of the period. Nevertheless, he persisted and managed to level the score, leading to a thrilling sudden-death decider.
The third game evolved into a captivating cat-and-mouse battle, with both players fiercely vying for victory. Ultimately, Naraoka succumbed to fatigue towards the end, allowing Lin to narrowly clinch the match.
Reflecting on his performance, Lin acknowledged his preparedness to face Naraoka in a grueling encounter that required both players to seek medical attention. He remarked, “I was ready to run from ‘north or south’ against Naraoka. I knew he was an endurance player, so I was mentally and physically prepared to go the distance.” Lin further admitted that it was his first time playing a game that extended to 30 points, leaving him uncertain about its duration.
In defeat, Naraoka expressed his disappointment, stating, “I deeply regret this loss. I tried to maintain patience throughout, but unfortunately, it was not enough.” Despite his best efforts, Naraoka fell short in the face of Lin’s unwavering determination.
Lin’s next challenge in the semifinals will be against China’s Weng Hong Yang, promising another enthralling match. In the other semifinal clash, India’s HS Prannoy will square off against Christian Adinata of Indonesia.
