Adventures in nervousness await us all because the depth of the Olympic competitors performs out. Will CHEN Yu Fei defend her title? Can TAI Tzu Ying or Marin cajole their drained muscle tissues for one final effort? Is that this actually AN Se Younger’s medal to say?
Who will make the step up from good to nice to Gold?
Quarterfinal Showdowns
This version of the Olympic WS has some good gamers: from battle-hardened veterans at their fourth Olympiad to some first-timers. They’re all at La Chapelle Area able to showcase one of the best model of themselves and goal for glory.
AN Se Younger and Akane Yamaguchi
A few 12 months in the past AN Se Younger was destined to utterly dominate girls’s badminton however since her knee damage she is just not invincible. She is favorite for the Gold right here, however the fixed stress of high-level matches will likely be an enormous check. After the group stage she will get a bye into the quarterfinals and is more likely to face Akane Yamaguchi, who has skilled her personal damage issues. Akane at her finest might get into the semifinal. I watched their match on the All England this 12 months and AY’s refusal to concede was extraordinary. If she will deliver that indomitable perception to the courtroom, she won’t be overwhelmed. Initially of the Nationwide Crew coaching camp in July she was enjoying down her probabilities of regaining her peak health although, so the early group levels ought to give us an thought of what degree she will obtain.
TAI Tzu Ying and Gregoria Tunjung
TAI Tzu Ying and Ratchanok Intanon encounter one another early on – in Group E – however just one can progress to the knockouts. Many neutrals will likely be wistful in regards to the misplaced alternative for these two to play one another in a while within the competitors. Each are drawing their dazzling careers to an finish; each would grace any Olympic podium. The fact is that each have suffered fairly unhealthy accidents this 12 months so which will have an effect on what both can accomplish- however it won’t blight their ambitions .
The winner of their group will in all probability face Gregoria Tunjung who has the photographs and the pace to go deep into the competitors. She should preserve her psychological resilience if she goes to get on the rostrum – she is a particular darkish horse. It might be her time. Learn extra about her right here https://womensbadminton.co.uk/2023/04/03/gregoria-mariska-tunjung-anything-is-possible/
Ayo Ohori and Carolina Marin
Ohori has had a superb 2024 and has reached her highest ever rating (10). Though she is just not broadly seen as a medal contender, she has an inexpensive draw and is match. Her victory on the Thailand Masters again in February was over 3 units and 80 minutes so she shouldn’t have too many issues in an attritional gradual corridor.
In the meantime, Marin is set to win again her Gold from Rio. She is probably the most centered competitor, however it’s asking rather a lot eight years on to repeat the win. I might by no means wager in opposition to the Spaniard however on the French Open this 12 months she underachieved by her personal requirements (misplaced in R32) nonetheless she then bounced again to win the All England within the following week.
CHEN Yu Fei and HE Bing Jiao
Can the defending champion retain her medal? Given her win in opposition to AN Se Younger on the Indonesia Open a couple of weeks in the past, it seems like she has a very good probability. Nevertheless, first she should navigate a possible QF together with her compatriot HE Bing Jiao. It’s potential for HBJ to drag off an upset, however the odds are stacked in opposition to her. Not least as a result of CHEN is aware of precisely what it takes to seize gold and might acquire quite a lot of positives from her current victory. In that sport she pushed and pushed: not content material to easily return the shuttle, she went for the strains, stayed optimistic and bought her reward. This might be a potential technique if she has to face the Korean within the SF.
Prime Takeaways
Accidents and the draw have made this a really open competitors. Success will rely upon who can alter to the stadium circumstances and keep match sufficient to maintain going. It might be a dream come true to see TAI Tzu Ying on the prime of the rostrum: she could get there however she must keep away from grueling video games and I don’t suppose that will likely be potential. Gregoria has an outdoor probability of a medal however it’s troublesome to see past a CHEN Yu Fei or AN Se Younger success in Paris.
In case you loved this then check out my preview of the Males’s Singles right herehttps://womensbadminton.co.uk/2024/07/24/olympic-badminton-2024-mens-singles/
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