VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s Nguyen Tien Minh beat Vladimir Malkov of Russia 2-1 (15-21, 21-9, 21-13) in a Group E match at the Rio Olympics yesterday, Aug 11.

Viet Nam’s Nguyen Tien Minh beat Russia’s Vladimir Malkov 2-1 (15-21, 21-9, 21-13) in a Group E match at the Rio Olympics yesterday. — Photo VTV

Minh had a good start in the initial minutes of the first set when he was leading 7-4, but Vladimir Malkov regained his momentum to draw 9-9 before winning the set 21-15 in 18 minutes.

Minh, Viet Nam’s top player, then regained his power to lead the score 16-7 in the second set. He did not make any mistake to tie the game with a 21-9 win in the second set in 17 minutes.

In the decisive third set, Minh, ranked 33rd in the world, was leading 11-7. He then scored 10 consecutive points to take the set 21-13 and win the game. In an earlier group match, two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China beat Austria’s David Obernorsterer 2-0 (21-5, 21-11).

Minh will play two more games with Obernorsterer and tough opponent Lin Dan.

Minh is the first Vietnamese player to compete in his third consecutive Olympics.

Source: VNS