Despite her high ranking and strong form leading up to the competition, Thuy Linh, who had been a consistent performer in recent international tournaments, failed to advance past the early stage.

Amartya, although younger and less experienced, had already proven her potential by winning a Super 100 title and had been regarded as an emerging talent in the badminton world.

The match started on a promising note for Thuy Linh. In the opening set, she utilised her experience to dominate the rallies, forcing Amartya into mistakes. The Vietnamese star won the first set comfortably 21-16, with a string of impressive points.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set, as Amartya showed marked improvements in her game. The Indonesian player led for most of the set, reaching set point at 20-17. Although Thuy Linh fought back, saving three set points, Amartya eventually secured a hard-fought 22-20 win, leveling the match at 1-1.

By the third set, Thuy Linh appeared to be struggling physically, with errors creeping into her game. Amartya seized the opportunity, increasing her lead as Thuy Linh’s endurance faltered. The Indonesian star closed out the match with a 21-14 victory in the decider, claiming an unexpected 2-1 win.

This early exit marks another disappointment for Thuy Linh, who has yet to win an individual medal at the SEA Games. Her only previous SEA Games medal came in 2022, when she secured a bronze in the women’s team division.

SEA Games: Vietnam target semifinal spot in decisive clash with Malaysia

VOV.VN - Vietnam will take on Malaysia at 4 p.m. on December 11 in their final Group B match at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, aiming to get a spot in the semifinals.