TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's top female badminton player, Tai Tzu-ying (戴資穎), withdrew from the Daihatsu Japan Open semifinals on Friday (Aug. 23) due to a recurring left knee injury.

Tai advanced to the semifinals after defeating Japan's Natsuki Nidaira in the quarterfinals on Friday. During the first game, while leading 15-5, Tai overextended her left knee diving for a net shot, forcing a medical timeout, per CNA.

Despite treatment, Tai won the match 21-13, 21-14. She decided to withdraw from the semifinals due to lingering pain.

Tai said she felt things were bad as soon as she got injured. She decided to return to Taiwan for further examination and treatment.

Tai has been competing with both knees injured since the Paris Olympics. Despite a short break from July 31 to Aug. 18, she was unable to fully recover before the Japan Open.

"It's surprising that I made it this far," Tai said. "I'm eager to see how far I can push myself, and I hope the doctors in Taiwan have positive news about my injury."