Tzu-ying hoping to continue winning streak

WORLD No. 1 women’s singles badminton player Tai Tzu-ying has enjoyed a 19-match unbeaten streak but believes she’s not invincible.

And that is why the 24-yearold top seed from Taiwan will tread with caution in her title defence in the Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open today.

Her last defeat was against Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon at the Malaysian Masters final in January.

She has since bulldozed her way to three titles – Indonesian Masters, All-England and Asian Badminton Championships in Wuhan.

Tzu-ying last competed in the Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok last month where she won all her matches.

Despite being in the form of her life, Tzu-ying has played down her favourite’s tag.

“It’s going to be anybody’s game. Everyone stands a chance to win this week,” said Tzu-ying.

Last year, she pipped twotime world champion Carolina Marin of Spain 23-25, 22-20, 21-13 in a 86-minute epic final battle in the Malaysian Open in Kuching last year.

“There are so many top players wanting to win as much as me this week, so I really have to play my best badminton in each match to retain my title.”

The 2015 Malaysian Open champion Tzu-ying will begin her quest for a third crown against Malaysia’s Soniia Cheah in the first round.

She should face little trouble en route to the semi-finals where she’s expected to face either India’s P.V. Sindhu or Marin.

The 2016 Malaysian Open winner Ratchanok is in the bottom half with other top contenders including world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and China’s duo Chen Yufei and He Bingjiao.