Key players to watch out from Chinese Taipei in Sudirman Cup 2023

Published at :May 14, 2023 at 6:47 AM

Modified at :May 20, 2023 at 9:01 PM

The Queen of Deception Tai Tzu Ying is set to lead Chinese Taipei.

The Sudirman Cup 2023 is a mixed-team tournament that consists of five ties (MS, WS, MD, WD, XD). The World Team Championships is named after the Indonesian player Dick Sudirman and is held biennially. Defending champions China are the most successful team in the championship's history winning the title a record 12 times.

Chinese Taipei have never won a medal in this tournament. However, this time they will look to end that drought and would want to bring a medal or the trophy home this season. They are placed in group C alongside Malaysia, India and Australia.

Many consider this group as the "group of death" with three tough teams battling out for two quarter-final spots. The Chinese Taipei team looks strong, however, it won’t be easy for them to reach the quarter-finals as they have equally strong Malaysian and Indian sides in the group stage.

They came close to winning a medal in 2019, and lost 2-3 against Indonesia. Despite leading 2-1, Chinese Taipei lost the next two matches and eventually the tie. Here are few players from Chinese Taipei, who could prove for the nation as they eye a first Sudirman Cup 2023 title.

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Tai Tzu Ying

The Queen of Deception and current World No 3 will play a key role in the competition. Tai Tzu Ying is known for her deceptive shots and can cause trouble among the best players. Recently, she won the Badminton Asia Championships by defeating An Se Young in the final.

If Chinese Taipei have to win a medal, then she surely has to perform well. She majorly has a positive head-to-head record against many top players except Akane Yamaguchi (11-11) and An Se Young (1-4). However, the Asian Champion defeated them in the last meeting, still, it will be difficult for her to overcome them.

Chou Tien Chen

Chou Tien Chen is known for playing long matches involving three games. Despite being 33, he has a lot of stamina and competes neck-to-neck against the top 10 players. Even though he has not been at his best for quite some time, you still cannot rule him out. The current WR 5, will have to be at his best but with stamina and experience he can prove to be a game-changer for Chinese Taipei.

Lee Yang/Wang Chi Lin

The Olympic Champions will have huge expectations in the Sudirman Cup 2023. They form a great pair and have good coordination among themselves. The pair recently reached the semi-finals of the Asian Championships and will look to continue the same form going into the Sudirman Cup.

However, the factor that can go against them will be Wang Chi Lin's injury. He injured his thigh while trying to return the shuttle during the semi-final match against Satwik/Chirag (semi-finals of Badminton Asia Championships). If Wang Chi Lin is fit then this pair can do wonders in the court. The Olympic Champions would look to do well to help their team to create history.

Wang Tzu Wei

Another great men's singles from Chinese Taipei, Wang Tzu Wei can surprise many with his results. He can defeat many top players when in great form and will be the dark horse of the Chinese Taipei team. The former World No 9 has been struggling with his form but can surprise us anytime as he has the gameplay to defeat top players. His support to Chou Tien Chen will be crucial for Chinese Taipei to overcome the quarter-finals hurdle.

Chinese Taipei's women’s doubles and mixed double departments are not that strong which leaves them with three good disciplines (men's singles, women’s singles, and men's doubles). So, if Chinese Taipei have to create history, then these three disciplines have to be on their toes in order to have a chance to win the medal.