Nguyễn Thùy Linh proudly defeats the world’s number 1 player, shining on the prestigious stage

This is also one of the most memorable victories in the career of Vietnam’s badminton beauty queen.

November 22, 2023, marked a special milestone in Nguyễn Thùy Linh’s career. At the Super 750 China Masters 2023, Thùy Linh achieved what is considered one of the most unforgettable wins in her career by coming from behind to defeat Carolina Marin, the former world number one and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, with a score of 2-1 (10-21; 21-19; 21-15).

At the start of the match, Thùy Linh faced a huge challenge as her opponent was the 5th seed of the tournament, a player who had been among the world’s top badminton athletes for many years. The difference in experience and achievements was evident early on in the first game, where Marin dominated completely and quickly won 21-10.

However, contrary to many expectations, the player from Phú Thọ did not give up. In the second game, Thùy Linh adjusted her tactics more effectively, deliberately extending rallies, utilizing her resilient defense and precision in every move. Her diverse and flexible playing style helped her gradually regain control and close the game with a thrilling 21-19 victory.

The excitement from leveling the match boosted Thùy Linh’s confidence going into the deciding game. Although Marin led 16-15 near the end, the Vietnamese player remained calm. On the contrary, the Spanish opponent made consecutive mistakes at crucial moments. Seizing the opportunity, Thùy Linh scored important points consecutively, creating 5 match points and finishing the match on the first chance with a 21-15 score.

This victory not only holds significance in terms of the result but also marks the first time Nguyễn Thùy Linh has defeated a player from the elite group of world badminton. This opponent also represents the highest-ranked player she has ever beaten since turning professional, marking a major turning point in her career.

More than just a single win, the match at the 2023 China Masters became a symbol of Vietnamese badminton’s rise on the international stage. At that same tournament, the player affiliated with Đồng Nai continued her strong performance by defeating Line Kjaersfeldt before losing to Kim Ga-eun in the quarterfinals. This was also Thùy Linh’s best result in Super 750 events.

The success in China more than two years ago laid the foundation for Nguyễn Thùy Linh to further establish her position on the World Tour circuit, highlighted by two runner-up finishes at the German Open in 2024 and 2025, along with two silver medals at the Canada Open and Korea Masters in 2025, achieving her career-best ranking at world number 17.

Earlier this year, the player born in 1997 also made a strong impression by defeating former world champion Pusarla Venkata Sindhu in the first round of the Super 750 India Open, while also reaching the quarterfinals of the Super 500 Indonesia Masters for the second consecutive year.