Nguyen Tien Minh Wins Qualifier at Vietnam Open 2026, Le Duc Phat Injured

At the Vietnam Open 2026 (Super 100) held from September 8 to 13, veteran player Nguyen Tien Minh (43 years old, world No. 254) won his qualifying match against Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, a doubles specialist. Speaking after the match, Minh said he faced an opponent "not strong in singles" and that he maintained his "strength and speed." The win advanced him to the main draw, where he will face Zhe Ying Wu of Taiwan. In other events, Le Duc Phat suffered knee and heel problems and required pain-relief injections to compete, while Nguyen Hai Dang lost. This year's tournament attracted more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories, but top Asian players were absent. In women's singles, Nguyen Thuy Linh will face 19-year-old Xu Wen Jing. According to analysts, Minh's victory stemmed mainly from exploiting the opponent's weakness in singles play - as a doubles player - rather than superior technique or tactics. Still, a 43-year-old competing and winning at Super 100 level shows his physical foundation and experience remain valuable at mid-tier events. For the Vietnamese team, Minh's presence along with Le Duc Phat's injury reflects a transition period in men's singles. The tournament is regional in character with few top Asian players, so results here cannot fully assess the strength of Vietnamese players. Experts also noted Le Duc Phat's injury risk is high and requires close medical monitoring. For Nguyen Tien Minh, competing at the top level at 43 is a highlight of spirit, but it also raises questions about the generational transition plan for Vietnamese badminton.