Carolina Marin got her revenge and won against Nozomi Okuhara.

One of the biggest current rivalries in badminton is the matchup between the three-times world champion and defending Olympic champion, Carolina Marin, and the 2017 world champion and bronze medallist from the Rio Olympics, Nozomi Okuhara from Japan. Thursday the met again.

Before today’s match the Japanese was leading the head-to-head 7-6, and Okuhara also won the last meeting: Last week in the Denmark Open semifinals. In Paris Marin was the better woman.

Stomach pains
The Spanish super star won in straight games 21-18 21-17 and secured a spot in the quarterfinals.

- The conditions here are much different than in Denmark. I just wanted to give my best, and that was the most important thing. She fought well today and I had a good lead in the second game, but sometimes you make some easy mistakes, and suddenly the score is more equal, Marin said.

- I got some pain in my stomach today, and I thought that I might not be able to play, but I wanted to focus on the plan, and that was what I did today, Marin stated.

Good to have Marin back
Nozomi Okuhara was not satisfied with her performance, but she is happy to see that Carolina Marin came back strong from her knee injury.

- Of course, I am happy that she is back. I got an injury myself and came back. It is not easy, and I am very happy that she is back, the Japanese star said.

In the quarterfinal Carolina Marin will be facing the 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon from Thailand. Before the French Open quarterfinals, the Thai is 6-3 up against Marin.