Bangkok, 7 December 2025 – Top Vietnamese shuttler Nguyen Thuy Linh produced a stunning three-set comeback to defeat Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa, helping Vietnam level 1-1 after the first two singles matches in the. SEA Games 33 women’s team quarterfinals.
Vietnam’s No.1 women’s badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh overcame a difficult start to beat Malaysia’s Karupathevan Letshanaa 2-1 in the opening singles match of the SEA Games 33 women’s team quarterfinals. The Vietnamese squad features five shuttlers — Nguyen Thuy Linh, Vu Thi Trang, Bui Bich Phuong, Pham Thi Khanh, and Pham Thi Dieu Ly — competing in three singles and two doubles matches.
According to the match lineup, the singles pairings were Thuy Linh vs Letshanaa, Vu Thi Trang vs Ling Ching Wong, and Bich Phuong vs Siti Zulaikha, while the doubles matches featured Pham Khanh/Dieu Ly against Muralitharan/Pearly Tan and the pair of Thuy Linh/Vu Thi Trang facing Pei Kee Go/Xing Teoh Mei.
Stepping onto court first, world No.20 Thuy Linh faced Malaysia’s world No.42 Letshanaa — a player she had defeated in both of their previous meetings. However, Letshanaa entered confidently and played aggressively from the start. Capitalising on several unforced errors from the Vietnamese star, the 22-year-old Malaysian took control from mid-game and clinched the first set 21-15.
The second set initially followed a similar pattern, with Letshanaa maintaining the lead. But once Thuy Linh adjusted her rhythm, she showcased her superior experience. By varying the shuttle placement and forcing her opponent into long rallies, the Vietnamese ace quickly turned the tide. Her precision and composure saw her dominate the latter half of the set, winning 21-10 to force a decisive third set.
In the final set, Thuy Linh started strongly but then lost momentum, allowing Letshanaa to surge ahead 12-7. After a timeout to regroup with her coach and technical expert, the Vietnamese star gradually clawed back point by point. Demonstrating resilience, she narrowed the gap to 12-14, then 14-16, 16-17, and eventually levelled at 18-18.
At crunch time, Letshanaa earned two match points, yet Thuy Linh showed nerves of steel, saving both. Seizing the decisive moment, the Phu Tho-born shuttler completed a remarkable comeback by sealing the match 23-21.
However, Vietnam could not extend their advantage in the second singles match. Veteran Vu Thi Trang fought hard, recovering from a first-set defeat to equalise 1-1, but ultimately fell 1-2 to Malaysia’s Ling Ching Wong. After two matches, the women’s teams of Vietnam and Malaysia are tied 1-1, setting up a tense continuation in the remaining singles and doubles encounters.
Thanh Tung – Dang Long
Leave a Reply