Europeans faced stiff competition last week in the Malaysia Masters, as none managed to make it to the quarterfinals. However, after a challenging road to the semifinals in the TOYOTA GAZOO RACING Thailand Open 2023 this week, several European athletes have emerged triumphant.
Carolina Marin, determined to replicate her triumph in this same tournament back in 2021, progressed to the semifinals with a solid victory over Canada's Michelle Li, 21-19 21-12. The Spaniard's next test will be against top seed An Se Young, Korea, who has emerged victorious in their two previous encounters. Can Marin reverse the tide this time and fight for her third Thailand Open title?
Also in women's singles, Mia Blichfeldt overpowered Singapore's Yeo Jia Min with a resounding win in straight games, 21-11 21-9. The Dane faces a formidable semifinal opponent in He Bing Jiao. Although Blichfeldt has yet to triumph over her, her recent performances offer hope for an intense showdown against the strong Chinese player.
France's Toma Junior Popov continued his remarkable run in the Super 500 tournament, prevailing against India's Kiran George with a victory, 21-16 21-17. Meanwhile, Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje dominated their match, defeating Japan's Yuki Kaneko and Misaki Matsumoto, 21-16 21-11.
The next challenge for the Danish duo awaits in Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, who eliminated Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek in the quarterfinals today. It will not be an easy challenge to overcome but the last time that Christiansen and Bøje and the world number two Thai duo met, in Madrid two months ago, the Danes won in straight games.
Check all of today's results
here.