China's badminton star Chen Yufei secured a hard-fought victory over Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt in a gripping three-game showdown at the BWF World Championships in Paris on Wednesday. The 21-13, 16-21, 21-10 win propels the Tokyo Olympic champion into the tournament's round of 16, where she will face Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh.
Blichfeldt opened strong, leading 8-7 early in the first game before Chen unleashed a decisive five-point streak to seize control. The World No. 4 maintained her precision to close the opener 21-13, showcasing the tactical discipline that earned her Olympic gold.
The Danish shuttler retaliated in the second game, overpowering Chen with aggressive net play to level the match. Despite Chen's mid-game recovery to 13-13, Blichfeldt's relentless attacks secured a 21-16 win, forcing a decider.
Chen dominated the final game 21-10, blending razor-sharp smashes with deft drop shots. "I need to improve consistency," Chen acknowledged post-match. "Losing momentum in the second game affected my rhythm, but I refocused for the third."
The victory sets up an intriguing clash with Vietnam's rising star Nguyen, offering Asian sports fans a highlight in the tournament's knockout stage.
