Thailand Open: ‘Everyone Thinks I have to Win Every Match’
Chen Yu Fei is her fifth semifinal from five tournaments this season; yet, the spring in her step is missing. The energy appears somewhat low-key.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Despite having a title and three semifinals from four previous tournaments, the returns appear modest by her high standards. Today, having made the last-four at the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2026, she accepted that a key ingredient was missing.
“I think my performance today was better than yesterday, I was more patient on court,” she said, before adding: “I’m not at my best. I want to play more matches, more tournaments to recover my physical and mental condition. I feel I’m very slow, my footwork is slow, I just need to play more. I want to get better.”
The early season went well for the former No.1 as she won the Indonesia Masters (Super 500) and made the semifinals in Malaysia, India and the All England. The last fortnight though had its own extreme challenges. Expected to help China defend the Uber Cup, Chen faltered in the final to an inspired Kim Ga Eun in the second singles, and the result turned the momentum Korea’s way as they stopped China on the way to a third Uber Cup triumph.