Badminton

Nguyễn Thùy Linh wins her third Challenge-level badminton title at the Yonex Belgian International 2022 on September 17. Photo of Nguyễn Thùy Linh

HÀ NỘI - Giant-killer Nguyễn Thùy Linh won the badminton tournament Yonex Belgian International 2022, her first title in two years.

Tokyo Olympian Linh defeated Japanese Hirari Mizui 21-19, 21-16 in the women's final on September 17 in Leuven.

Linh, the world No 54, was seeded No. 5 at the tournament. She met almost no difficulty to beat the world No. 135 in 49 minutes.

The Vietnamese set her personal record as she did not lose any set at the tournament.

Earlier, she beat No. 1 seed Lianne Tan of the hosts 24-22, 21-12 in the quarter-finals and No. 4 Lam Lauren of the US in the semi-finals round.

This is Linh's third title in a Challenge-level event. She won twice at the Bangladesh International in 2018 and 2019.

The win pushes Linh back into the top 50 in the world ranking which will be released on September 19.

Linh, whose best place was No 41 in 2019, will return home and take part in the Việt Nam Open on September 27-October 2 in HCM City. VNS