Michelle Li Cracks Tai Puzzle
Michelle Li revelled in the joy of reaching her first top-tier event semifinal, saying her upset of world No.1 Tai Tzu Ying today “was up there” with her best performances.
· DEV SUKUMAR
The victory - in the quarterfinals of the DAIHATSU YONEX Japan Open 2019 - was her first over Tai after six straight defeats, and gave the Canadian her breakthrough into a major semifinal after falling in the quarterfinals several times.
“It’s up there, it’s about the same,” Li said, comparing her result today to beating then-World Champion Carolina Marin at the Sudirman Cup in 2015.
“This is my first Super 750 semifinals – it means a lot. I’ve always made the quarters and kind of got stuck. This time I was able to make the semifinals, I’m really happy, it’s a big step for me. I haven’t been in a (top-tier) semifinal before. I can see improvement in my game and have to continue on that. This win will help with my confidence.”