At crucial moments, Thuy Linh showed her experience as a two-time Olympian, executing delicate drop shots at the net that left her opponent struggling. She won the first set 21-15.

On the morning of 10/9 at Nguyen Du Stadium, top seed Nguyen Thuy Linh faced Liang Ting Yu, the world's 68th-ranked player.

The home favorite has won three consecutive women's singles titles at this tournament and has a strong chance of securing a fourth.

Thuy Linh is accompanied at this tournament by Indonesian expert Hariawan Hong and an assistant.

Thuy Linh, currently ranked 18th in the world, opted for a fast-paced, aggressive strategy.

However, Liang responded strongly, resulting in a closely contested first set.

In the second set, Thuy Linh couldn't maintain her momentum. She made several unforced errors, and her opponent anticipated her plays and defended more effectively.

Liang consistently led Thuy Linh, extending the gap to 17-11.

While her opponent gained confidence, the home player struggled, making some unforced errors. She also found it challenging to handle her opponent's drop shots.

But with her composure, experience, and timely encouragement from her coach, Thuy Linh changed her approach, playing faster and attacking more strategically.

This tactic proved effective, allowing Thuy Linh to score 8 consecutive points and take a 19-17 lead. Liang, visibly tired, even collapsed on the court at one point.

The top-seeded player then capitalized on the opportunity to win 21-19 and secure a spot in the second round.

"This match was truly special for me," Thuy Linh shared with VnExpress. "Playing on home turf, with the enthusiastic support of the crowd, I felt happy and almost forgot the pressure. I participate in 20 tournaments a year, but rarely have the opportunity to play in front of home fans, so the Vietnam Open always holds great significance."

Duc Dong - Thu Thao