Usually when a player returns from a serious and lengthy injury, it takes time to get back up to the pace of the elite level. But here we are on semifinals day of the VICTOR China Open 2019 and the reigning champion Carolina Marin is looking like she was never away from the court.
The Spaniard faced Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi in an all left-handed affair. It was Takahashi who looked a little more in control of the drift in the opening game, scraping a valuable 22-20 start. But as Marin adjusted and upped the tempo, a decider was inevitable.
Takahashi rallied valiantly, but Marin always looked the most likely to book her place in the final. After being 17-11 up on one stage, Marin seemed to overthink her shots and only just got over the line 21-18. However, at that moment, none of it mattered for her. Marin explained after the match:
-I fell down and was crying a bit. You know when you have a long injury and you are doing your rehabilitation you have that feeling to never give up and keep going and keep pushing. I’m just super happy that in my second tournament back I can reach the final in a Super 1000 tournament.
What is even more impressive is her opponent today indicating that Marin was not back to her very best yet. Takahashi although disappointed with her loss, commented positively about Marin:
-I could sense a bit of limitation in Marin’s movements, but she is still as strong as before.
Tomorrow Marin will face world number one Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) to defend her crown. It is really great to have Marin back.
For the full results and fixtures, click here.