World Juniors: Ella Lin Swings Tie for USA

TEXT BY BWF

The intriguing possibilities of the relay scoring system, in operation at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2024, were evident today in the closest tie of the championships so far, with USA edging Philippines 110-108 in Group H after trailing for most of the tie.

The heroine of the tie was Ella Lin for USA, as she came on for the penultimate match with Philippines leading by 17 points, 88-71. With Lin’s opponent Christel ReiFuentespina needing 11 points to pass the baton on to her compatriots for the home stretch, Lin chipped away at the lead with steady play and opportunistic attack, winning 28 of the next 38 points to hand the lead to USA at 99-98 and swing the momentum for the final women’s doubles match.

The tie-decider between USA’s Veronica Yang and Chloe Ho and Philippines’ Andrea Princess Hernandez and Mary Destiny Untal was a nervy affair with service errors and some unsteady shots; scores were neck and neck until Yang and Ho shot ahead at the very end.

Thailand lead the five-team group with three wins, followed by USA, Philippines, Vietnam and Portugal, but USA, Vietnam and Portugal have played only two ties each.

“I feel like Ella really pulled us through that one,” said Veronica Yang. “We were really nervous. I was shaking when I was on court. It was so stressful. At the end we just kept in simple.”

“I just had to go one point at a time,” said Ella. “I knew my team would not have been mad at me if I’d lost anyway, so there was no pressure. I told myself to not care about the score, just get as many points as you can.

“My opponent had played the previous singles and my coach talked to me and helped me prepare. My teammates were also encouraging me.”

Lin had played the first women’s doubles earlier in the tie with Veronica Yang, and the experience had helped her get used to the conditions when she turned up for the women’s singles.

“I like to take my time to warm up. I’m glad my coaches made me play doubles first so I could get used to the court and the feeling of playing a game before my singles,” said Lin.

“I don’t train doubles, but I sometimes play for fun. This system helps you get used to the nerve-racking feeling. It’s only 11 points, so you’re nervous when you play. It helps you focus more. It’s like the second half of a third game.”