All England: After Challenging First Round, A Message for Rivals
World No.1 Chen Yu Fei returned to the scene of her first big triumph last year and ground out a 67-minute win over a dangerous challenger.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Having recovered from a first-game loss to An Se Young, an unruffled Chen went about her business, sealing a 14-21 21-14 21-15 victory over her 18-year-old Korean rival in the first round of the YONEX All England 2020.
In essence, the opening game saw An Se Young peg away in characteristic style, drawing Chen into long exchanges. Both Chen and An are known for impeccable defence and steadiness of play; Chen knew she had to step up her attacking game in the second and she did. There was greater urgency, sharper strokes, and quick follow-up to the net. An couldn’t find the answers but gamely hung on.
She acknowledged that her game was possibly a bit too passive to hurt Chen Yu Fei. “I was more focussed on returning the shuttle, that’s probably how the game led to this result,” she surmised.