IBL: Youngsters to catch the eye

Ying Tai of Taiwan, who played for Banga Beats. (Getty Images)

Tai Tzu Ying

Got only two opportunities in the IBL, since Banga Beats had the luxury of a second women’s singles player in Carolina Marin. Tai outplayed Tine Baun in her team opener against Mumbai Masters. In the final league game, she gave Saina Nehwal plenty of trouble but went down in three.

The Chinese Taipei girl is a prodigy; she brings a classical feel to badminton with her deception and court-craft, and is destined to become a fixture in the top-five. Two Superseries wins at a young age have meant she is already in the top-ten, and she has troubled every top player. She also appears to be a happy player, smiling at her own errors, and that’s an invaluable trait in a high-pressure profession.