Basel, 24 March (H.S.): The women’s final of the YONEX Swiss Open showcased a captivating badminton match featuring two accomplished players: Line Kjaersfeldt, a 30-year-old 17-time European champion ranked 21st globally, and Chen Yu Fei, a 27-year-old Olympic champion from Tokyo 2021, currently ranked 13th.
Kjaersfeldt boasts 297 wins and $212,000 in prize money, while Chen, with 376 wins, has earned $1.37 million, illustrating that badminton can be highly lucrative. Having faced each other multiple times in the past, with Chen leading their encounters 4-1, the stage was set for an electrifying battle before an audience of over 4,000 in Basel.
The match unfolded fittingly, filled with dynamic exchanges and unexpected moments, though it wasn’t a dramatic narrative. Kjaersfeldt initially dominated the first set but succumbed, losing 17-21. The second set was equally competitive but maintained a steady pace, culminating in a second 17-21 loss for Kjaersfeldt.
The final spanned 49 minutes, reminiscent of a Netflix series length. Chen Yu Fei emerged victorious, etching her name in history for the 2025 YONEX Swiss Open, mirroring her triumph in 2019. Basel has proven favorable for her, having also won a bronze medal at the Badminton World Championships held there that year.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
