Carolina Marín will seek a place in the final of the Thailand Open this Saturday that will allow her to fight for her second title this year after the one she won in the Orléans Tournament. The player from Huelva has qualified for the semifinals of the tournament after beating Canadian Michelle Li 21-19 and 21-12 in her quarterfinal match after 42 minutes of play.
The first set started well for Carolina Marín, as the Huelva player went 8-0 up to take a significant advantage (10-3). However, six consecutive points from Li got the Canadian into the match to first level the set and even get ahead on the scoreboard (14-16). Despite this, Carolina managed to react and, trailing 17-18, achieved three consecutive points to earn a set point. She didn’t convert it the first time but she did it the second time to take this thrilling first set by a tight 21-19.
In the second set Carolina took the initiative until a 5-0 run allowed her to break away on the scoreboard (11-4). Despite a fightback from Li, who got within 4 points (12-8), the Spanish player managed to maintain her lead over the Canadian at up to eight points (17-9). Despite another push from Li, four consecutive points allowed Carolina Marín to close the set and the match 21-12 and reach the semifinals of the Thailand Open.
This Saturday Carolina Marín will look for a place in the final of the tournament against South Korean An Se-young, top favorite for the title, who beat China’s Yue Han 21-16 and 21-18. It will be the tenth time that Carolina Marín will face off against the South Korean, number two in the ranking, with whom she has a 4-4 record, with victory for the South Korean in the last three meetings between the two (Marín’s withdrawal before the quarterfinals of the All England Open is not counted). A streak that Carolina Marín hopes to stop to reach the final at the Thailand Open and stay in the fight for the title to continue her climb in the world ranking.