Tai Tzu Ying: On the verge of big things

Was there a more memorable exhibition of badminton in recent times than what one got to see on Sunday, in the two singles finals of the Malaysia Open? Lee Chong Wei and Tai Tzu Ying emerged victorious as they decimated their opponents with a masterclass, albeit with different methods.

Lee was playing old rival Sony Dwi Kuncoro, against whom he had – surprisingly – just a 7-5 record. The Malaysian has dominated all the Superseries events over the last three years, and one expected a higher difference. But Kuncoro has spent the better part of the last two years in rehabilitation from various injuries. The Indonesian has an effective all-round game, and he was expected to take Lee to three games.

The Malaysian demolished him with such a high-class display that one had to remind oneself that Kuncoro was the World No. 5. Lee gave a demonstration of explosive badminton at its best as he simply smashed down everything that Kuncoro lifted. Lee is not the most powerful player in the world, but he is certainly the most explosive – the shuttle would barely begin its upward trajectory when Lee’s powerful legs would lift him several feet above the ground, from where he had so many options – smash down the line or cross-court or a variety of sliced drops. Kuncoro was a spectator to the missiles that Lee rained on him.

The Indonesian is vastly experienced, and he attempted to play the forecourt to prevent Lee from getting under the shuttle, but the Malaysian simply lunged forward and put him under pressure at the net as well. Lee’s great assets are his speed and his footwork; he is able to park himself at the net because he is able to spring back the moment the shuttle is played behind him. The rout took 32 minutes.

If Chong Wei used a hammer, Tai Tzu Ying used a wand. The first match on the day was a near magical experience as one got to see some breathtaking strokes. Tai wove a web in which her young Chinese opponent Yao Xue was caught. It was deceptive, instinctive badminton at its best – Yao went one way while the shuttle went another; most times she stood rooted in the middle as Tai’s delayed net shots had her non-plussed.

We got to see a rasping backhand played from near the ground which stunned her opponent; a couple of cross-court winners played with her back to the net; and so many sliced drops and sharply angled smashes that Yao was left chasing shadows.

Tai is, as near as one can make out, the female version of Taufik Hidayat. If she continues on this path, she will elevate world badminton – free it of the claustrophobic uni-dimensional power-play that has become its lot. One hopes that she can be successful even after she has been studied by her opponents, especially the Chinese, who are masters at detecting the flaws of their opponents and exploiting those disadvantages. Tai heralds a new age for women’s singles badminton; bigger battles beckon.