Han Yue 韩悦 Born 18 November 1999 Zhangzhou, Fujian, China Residence Beijing, China Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) Years active 2016–present Handedness Right Han Yue, still only 22 years old, has just clinched her second BWF World Tour title at the Hylo Open '22 Super 300 event , winning all her matches in two straight sets, including the final matchup against her 25-year-old compatriot, Zhang Yiman, whom herself had an impressive run to the final , along the way ousting the former World and Olympic Champion, Carolina Marin, and another former World Champion, Nozomi Okuhara. Incidentally, Han Yue's maiden World Tour title win was about four years ago at the Syed Modi Super 300 event in 2018 at the age of 19, beating the veteran, Saina Nehwal, in the final. Since then, her tournament records after transitioning to the international circuit has also included four other S100/300 runners-up, after having been the silver medalist at the World Junior Championships and the gold medalist at the Asian Junior Championships, both in 2017. To me, Han Yue capturing her second WTS 300 title today constitutes another feather in her cap that signals she is on the verge of a breakthrough in her nascent career. I believe she has what it takes to be considered another bright young prospect for the future of CHN WS and we should be seeing more of her on the winners podium in the future. Heartiest congratulations to Han Yue. May she go from strength to strength and scale new heights of badminton soon.
Han Yue may not be the most talented player. But her determination and resilience always impress me. Those qualities can carry her a long way. Congratulations and good luck!
Han Yue, what a pleasant surprise today at the AUS Open QF, her match against Nozomi Okuhara. While watching the opening game, with NO playing well showing glimpses of her former best and pulling away from 8-all to 16-12, I was sure NO would prevail as HY appeared somewhat off-form at first. I was thinking, HY playing her fourth tournament in a row, three in consecutive weeks in the European tour, then flew all the way from Germany across many timezones to Down Under , about 9/10 hours time difference, what with jetlag and acclimatization during the one week interval before the start of the Aussie Open, not sure if there's quarantine upon arriving at Sydney (one week?) - I'm sure all this would've taken a toll on her as it did on Zhang Yiman who, seeming out of sorts, lost her opening match to Supanida Katethong in two straight sets, and the same fate, it seems, is going to befall HY. Then, in the second half of G1, at 12-16 down, she began to claw her way back , reasserting herself strongly to grab a run of eleven points, only conceding one point in between, to snatch the set 21-17 ! Amazing. But, that's not the end of the story, in G2, she was even more commanding as she romped home to victory 21-10, a scintillating performance. While it's true HY could've ended her campaign in R1 at the hands of Kim Ga Eun, it was her incredible fightback in G2 to save herself by the skin of her teeth, saving one matchpoint and winning the deuces, 22-20, and thereafter , in the decider, to turn the tables on her stunned opponent by running away with G3, 21-5, to emerge victorious , that speaks volumes of HY's remarkable never-say-die spirit, dogged determination and steadfast resolve to succeed. Oh, before I forget, let's wish Han Yue a very happy birthday as she turned 23 today, 18 November.
Finally, it's one match too many for Han Yue at the Aussie Open, her campaign ended in the SFs at the hands of Gregoria Mariska whom she beat two weeks ago at the Hylo Open. I didn't get to watch the match but according to CLELY, she showed signs of accumulated fatigue and error-prone. Still, based on the scoreline,21-18, 16-21, 14-21,it seemed to be a hard-fought three-setter match to end the year with a good showing. Atm, she's world ranked 12 just behind Marin, and I should expect Han Yue to break into the Top 10 sometime next year, probably within the first few months at the rate she is going, especially after having watched how she played and beat some of the world's best in recent months, namely, An Se Young, Carolina Marin, Nozomi Okuhara, as well as the lesser lights but up-and-comers, such as Pornpawee Chochuwong, Mariska Tunjung, Kim Ga Eun, just to name these few. To be honest, I have a feeling that if any of the current crop of CHN WS, or any WS in the international circuit for that matter, who can match or emulate Akane Yamaguchi's running and retrieving ability, it's none other than Han Yue, in my opinion. Just look at how she scampers, scrambles and lunges as she covers all the four corners, even when she takes the shuttle late, she gets it over without ceding much advantage, not to mention continuing to win the rally in many cases. Impressive, indeed. Han Yue, keep it up! Keep on trying, your upward trajectory, your future prospects look bright.
Han Yue, I salute you - such a splendid display of masterful badminton drubbing Hsu Wen Chi by the identical score of 21-11 without a hitch in the semifinals of the Princess Thai Masters 2023. May the best player of the day prevail in your face-off with Zhang Yiman for the title tomorrow.
