Vietnam’s badminton star stuns Taiwan’s 7th seed to reach Indonesia Masters quarterfinals

Unseeded Thuy Linh produced a composed performance to defeat Chiu 21-17, 23-21 in the second round of the Super 500 tournament, overturning expectations against a higher-ranked opponent.

The victory came two months after Thuy Linh lost to Chiu in the final of the Korea Masters 2025 in South Korea, where the Vietnamese player missed the chance to claim her first Super 300 title.

This time, the balance tipped in Thuy Linh’s favor in another closely contested encounter.

Chiu started strongly, edging ahead early in the opening game, but Thuy Linh recovered to level before moving in front at the mid-game interval.

The Vietnamese player maintained a narrow lead through the latter stages, using tight net play and well-placed smashes to close out the first game 21-17.

The second game proved more dramatic.

Chiu led for much of the game and opened a 5-1 advantage as Thuy Linh struggled with unforced errors.

The Vietnamese player gradually steadied, drawing level at 8-8, though she continued to chase as Chiu repeatedly regained the lead.

Chiu reached game point at 20-18, but Thuy Linh saved two points with aggressive cross-court smashes to force deuce.

After exchanging points, Thuy Linh won three in a row to seal the match 23-21.

The win sends Thuy Linh into the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters 2026.