Ontario, 7 July, 2025 – In the early hours of July 7 (Vietnam time), Vietnam’s top badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh was defeated by Japan’s Manami Suizu in the women’s singles final of the 2025 Canada Open, earning the runner-up title.
Ranked 22nd in the world, Thuy Linh entered her third career final at a BWF World Tour Super 300 event. In contrast, her 21-year-old Japanese opponent, ranked 35th, was making her debut in a final at this level. The winner of the Canada Open final would receive a prize of USD 18,000 (approximately VND 500 million).
Prior to this final, the two had faced each other three times, with Thuy Linh winning twice and losing once — the most recent defeat coming at the 2023 Korea Masters. While Suizu brought youth and rising momentum, Thuy Linh held the advantage in experience and composure on the big stage. Both players had impressive performances leading into the final, with Suizu notably upsetting top seed Michelle Li of Canada (world No. 19) in the semifinals.
Thuy Linh started the match cautiously, trying to force errors from her opponent through controlled shuttle placement. However, Suizu handled the pressure well, neutralizing Linh’s net play and launching sharp attacks to the backcourt. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Thuy Linh committed several unforced errors and lost the first game 12-21.
In the second game, the Vietnamese star got off to a promising start with three quick points, but Suizu quickly regained control. Using her youth and endurance, Suizu engaged Thuy Linh in long rallies, applying relentless pressure. Struggling to keep up with the tempo, Thuy Linh fell behind and eventually lost 14-21, conceding the match in straight games.
With a 0-2 loss, Nguyen Thuy Linh settled for the runner-up title at the 2025 Canada Open. It marked another close call for the 27-year-old in her quest for a maiden BWF Super 300 title.
Despite the defeat, Thuy Linh earned USD 9,120 (approximately VND 230 million) and gained 5,950 valuable ranking points, solidifying her status as Vietnam’s leading female badminton player on the international stage.
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