After a five-year wait, Yeo Jia Min triumphed over her longstanding rival Akane Yamaguchi, winning 21-10, 10-21, 21-17 in the first round of the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024. Following the match, Yeo reflected on her performance, noting that Yamaguchi made several mistakes in the first game, which allowed her to maintain an early lead. "Every win boosts my confidence," she emphasized, marking this victory as her first against the two-time world champion since their encounter at the 2019 World Championships.
Yeo acknowledged the challenges athletes face throughout their careers, stating, "Players have ups and downs during their careers. I use every chance I have to keep trying to get better and continue to up my confidence." After taking a week off post-Olympics, she faced health issues that forced her to miss the Japan Open. However, she has remained active in competitions since then, aiming to enhance her skills and confidence.
Yamaguchi praised Yeo's performance, admitting, "I couldn’t keep up with her speed." The 27-year-old explained that she took time off after the Olympics to reset mentally, focusing on her preparation for the Paris 2024 Games. In the next round, Yeo will face Tomoka Miyazaki, the 2022 world junior champion, in their second meeting, with Miyazaki currently leading 1-0.
In another match, Kenta Nishimoto edged out Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, reflecting on the mental challenges he faced during the match, particularly when he was down in the third game. Ginting, on the other hand, expressed confusion over his recent performances, attributing his struggles to various factors, including the drift in the court.
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