The game of badminton has historically been dominated by players from Asia. European players have had their share of dominance as well. One country that has never really had success in the sport is America. Considering the US put their focus on a plethora of other sports, this is not much of a surprise. But there are a few Americans trying to blaze a trail of success.
There are only two American single’s players in the Swiss Open currently; both women. There was a men’s doubles team from America, Ryan & Phillip Chew. Unfortunately, they were beat in the first round, knocking the only American doubles team out of the tournament. In the women’s singles, Iris Wang and Beiwen Zhang will be representing the US.
Iris Wang would face-off against Ruselli Hartawan from Indonesia. Hartawan felt the stang by Wang, getting finished in only two games (21-8, 21-11) in stellar fashion. Hartawan jumped to an early lead in the first game, until Wang tied it up 4-4. After that, Iris would outscore Ruselli 17-4, taking the first game. The second game was more of the same, except it was 21-11 in favor of the Wang Train. Wang will be going against the #2 seed Pulsarla V. Sindhu in the second round.
Beiwen Zhang faced off against the Bulgarian Linda Zetchiri in the first round. Zhang would start to separate from Zetchiri in the first game after it was 5-5. After this, the game was never within more than three points. Bang Bang Zhang would go on cruise control, winning the match 2-0 (21-11, 21-11). In the second round, Zhang will be up against Aliye Demirbag from Turkey.
Although it may be unlikely, if Zhang and Wang keep winning, they could face-off in the championship match; an all-US final. But there will be a lot of the world’s best female shuttlers that will have something to say about that.
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