The shuttle drifted through the air like a paper kite, tugged and twisted by the notorious gusts swirling through Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Nhat Nguyen narrowed his eyes, adjusted his stance mid-rally, and recalibrated – not just his swing, but his mindset. Two losses already to Lakshya Sen. But not today at TOYOTA Thailand Open 2025.
“The conditions were tricky,” he said later. “It’s very windy today, so whoever managed the hall better had the advantage.”
And manage it, he did.
The first game had gone Nguyen’s way, 21-18, a tight contest edged out with gritty defence and tactical awareness. But Sen came storming back 21-9.
Then came the decider.
Something clicked. In the fast, drifting air, Nguyen embraced the chaos. Known for his endurance in long rallies, he adapted – using the wind’s speed to his advantage rather than resisting it.
He began controlling the shuttle with surgical finesse, bending it with the wind instead of fighting it. Each point became a test of control – not just over the shuttle, but over fear and fatigue.
Final score: 21-17.
“I believe so,” Nguyen replied when asked if the conditions helped. “If the shuttles are faster and I can finish the rallies quicker, yes, I can hurt the top players.”
At 14-11 in the third game, a direct hit ricocheted off his forehead. Nguyen staggered back, dazed but not dropped. Sen raised a hand in apology – sincere and respectful, the way Nguyen had always known him to be.
“He was gracious to say sorry,” Nguyen said. “But next time, just don’t aim for my head!” he laughed.
The moment could have ended the match. Instead, it flipped a switch in Nguyen.
“Maybe it surprised Lakshya I could play well with the wind towards the end,” the world No.34 said with a smile. “Today is my day.”
Next up: Loh Kean Yew, a new mountain.
But Nguyen isn’t just climbing anymore – he’s looking to rise. Back into the world’s top 25.
“I’m happy to regain confidence, rebuild my game and challenge the best again,” he said. “I believe that’s where I’m supposed to stand.”
And in the wind-swept arena of the Thailand Open, he seems to have found his footing.
→ Results (Day 2)
→ Order of play (Day 3)
WHAT OTHERS SAID
“It was a nice tournament for me and the semifinal run has boosted my confidence. Now to plan and prepare well for my next match so I can maintain my form.” – Unnati Hooda hoping to build on her result at last week’s Taipei Open
“It’s been two months since we played a match so were a little nervous and lacked confidence. But we are glad we could win in straight games. We are playing at home, so hopefully we can continue to produce our best.” – Benyapa Aimsaard after she and sister Nuntakarn beat Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi in straight games
