Juliana Viana Vieira is one step away from creating history at the Pan Am Badminton Championships after a sensational semifinal win over Michelle Li.
The Brazilian’s upset of the top seed and six-time champion gave her a spot in the final, and a shot at becoming the first women’s singles player from her country to win the title.
An upset of similar proportions was seen in men’s singles, with 19-year-old Joshua Nguyen beating senior compatriot and 2023 champion Brian Yang in three games.
Vieira had previously beaten Li at the Canada International last August, but this was a more significant result considering the stage and the nature of her win. The Brazilian twice fought back from big deficits – the first was in the opening game, which she nearly stole from Li after trailing 6-14 and 13-17.
In the second Li seemed headed for a comfortable straight games win with a 17-11 lead, but Vieira grabbed seven of the next eight points to level at 18. Li had two match points but the Brazilian stayed in the contest, eventually taking the match to a decider, in which she held a narrow lead throughout to complete a remarkable win at 18-21 23-21 21-19.
In the final Vieira takes on Canada’s Zhang Wen Yu, who held off compatriot Rachel Chan 21-11 18-21 21-13.
Brazil have shot at history in men’s doubles as well, with Fabricio Farias/Davi Silva taking on defending champions Chen Zhi Yi/Presley Smith (USA).
In women’s doubles, USA’s Lauren Lam/Allison Lee face Canada’s Jackie Dent/Crystal Lai.
Canada assured themselves of the men’s singles and mixed doubles titles. Men’s singles will see 20-year-old Victor Lai take on 19-year-old compatriot Joshua Nguyen, while mixed doubles will see a faceoff between Ty Alexander Lindeman/Josephine Wu and Jonathan Lai/Crystal Lai.
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