Tien Minh failed to qualify for the main round of Vietnam Open 2025 - Photo: DUC KHUE
This year, Tien Minh is 42 years old. Although he can no longer maintain his physical strength, power, and flexibility, he is still one of the most watched tennis players of the Vietnam Open.
In previous years, Tien Minh had to participate in the tournament from the qualifying round. The reason is understandable because as he got older, he gradually fell out of the group with high rankings on the world badminton rankings.
But with his class and experience, the 1983-born tennis player still overcame difficulties to win a ticket to the main round. However, this year, that could not continue to happen.
His opponent in the qualifying round on the afternoon of September 9 is Orijit Chaliha, born in 2005, 17 years younger than him. And although his technique is still quite clumsy, the Indian player has the advantage thanks to his better physique and physical strength.
In the first table, Tien Minh started the game with preemptive attacks. Thanks to that, he quickly took a 3-0 lead. But when Chaliha switched to more durable shots, Tien Minh's advantage was gone.
The former world top 10 player tried to keep up the fight. Chaliha reached 20-18 first, but Tien Minh saved both set points. However, he could not continue to defend against his opponent's difficult shots. Chaliha won this game 22-20.
It was in the second set that Tien Minh showed his incredible tenacity. He led for most of the game and won 21-18 to take the game into the third set.
Tien Minh's wife, Vu Thi Trang, advanced after two convincing wins - Photo: DUC KHUE
But after a period of intense competition, the Vietnamese player was significantly exhausted. Therefore, Chahila did not have much difficulty in winning the decisive 21-11 victory, securing a ticket to the next round.
Tien Minh's defeat left many fans feeling regretful. However, they were also comforted when his wife, Vu Thi Trang, after 2 wins against Aashi Rawat and Liang Ka Wing, officially got a ticket to the main round of Vietnam Open 2025.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/42-tuoi-tien-minh-khong-the-vuot-qua-vong-loai-vietnam-open-2025090915331618.htm
Comment (0)