Veteran Nguyễn Tiến Minh wins Vietnam Open 2026 qualifier, faces Zhe Ying Wu next

Nguyễn Tiến Minh, the 43-year-old Vietnamese player, made a winning start at the Vietnam Open 2026 when he beat Nguyễn Hoàng Thái Sơn in the men's singles qualifying round. The match took place on September 8, 2026, and gave Minh a place in the main draw, where he will face Zhe Ying Wu of Chinese Taipei. The tournament is part of the BWF Super 100 circuit and is being held in Vietnam from September 8 to 13, 2026. It features more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories. For Nguyễn Tiến Minh, passing the qualifiers is a positive sign because he is now 43 and ranked 254th in the world. Nguyễn Hoàng Thái Sơn is a younger player known mostly for doubles. In this match, Sơn showed strength and speed but also exposed his limits in singles play. According to Nguyễn Tiến Minh, his opponent had physical advantages but was not truly strong in singles. Minh used his experience to control the tempo, extend rallies and force his opponent into difficult positions. The victory helped Minh continue his solid record against younger domestic rivals. Among other Vietnamese players, Lê Đức Phát attracted attention because of his injury problems. He struggled with pain in his knee and heel and needed painkilling injections to compete. His wife was also present in the stands to follow the match. This shows the physical pressure on Vietnamese players, especially at a tournament that offers important ranking points. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Hải Đăng stopped early in the qualifying stage. It was a disappointing result for a young player hoping to go far at a home event. Therefore, Nguyễn Tiến Minh remains Vietnam's main hope in men's singles. Although age is no longer an advantage, his experience is still a reliable base for continuing to compete. In the women's singles, Nguyễn Thùy Linh is set to face Xu Wen Jing, a 19-year-old player from Chinese Taipei. This is a highly awaited match because Linh has greater experience, while her young rival has fresh energy and ambition. The result will not only affect Linh's progress but also demonstrate her regional improvement. The Vietnam Open 2026 offers Vietnamese players a key chance to gain experience and ranking points. As a Super 100 event, it does not have the highest level of competition, but it still attracts young talents and seasoned veterans. Nguyễn Tiến Minh, even at 43, proves that age is not a major barrier when a player competes with intelligence. He is an example to younger teammates of patience and commitment. In the next round, Nguyễn Tiến Minh will face a serious challenge against Zhe Ying Wu, a technically sound player from a strong badminton nation. Minh needs to stay focused and keep the same rhythm he showed in qualifying. If he can do that, his chance of advancing remains realistic. Vietnamese badminton fans are now waiting to see more from the veteran. Can Nguyễn Tiến Minh spring a surprise at the Vietnam Open 2026? The answer will come after his match with Zhe Ying Wu.