Linh makes career best, earning silver at

The Vietnamese world No 23 lost 11-21, 9-21 to the world No 22 Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark in the women's singles final.

Despite a defeat, Linh's performance at the European event, was remarkable.

The Tokyo Olympic participant met with no difficulty beating Kaloyana Nalbantova of Bulgaria 21-7, 21-11 in the first round. She won 21-14, 21-7 over Lauren Lam of the US in the second round.

In the quarter-finals, Linh defeated former world champion and Asian championship winner Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-13, 21-15.

The most impressive match was her come-from-behind 20-22, 21-8, 21-16 win against Asian Games winner Kim Ga Eun of South Korea in the semi-finals.

"I don't know how to say 'thank you' and how grateful I am to everyone. I don't know how to express how proud and happy I feel when many people watch and support my journeys. No matter what the result is, they still say they love me,: said Linh.

"Yesterday was a special day to me when many Vietnamese people living in and near Germany came and encouraged me.

"The moment I stepped on the court and heard my name called was so emotional. I was excited to see supporters with the national flags on the stand. They made me happy and so proud that I am Vietnamese," she said.

Linh could not make the gold medal but her result was a milestone in Viet Nam's history as she was the first athlete advanced to the final match of a World Tour Super 300 event.

She walked away with 5,950 points to enter the world top 20 and a bonus of US$7.980.

Standing No 15 in the Race to Paris, Linh has ensured her second participating in the upcoming Olympics. But the 26-year-old targets to be among the top 12 seeds that would bring her favourable draw result in the French competition.

After Germany, Linh will take part in the French Open from March 5-10.

Later she will compete in the All England, world's oldest badminton tournament, from March 12-17.

Other tournaments include Swiss Open from March 19-24 and the Madrid Spain Masters from March 26-31.

These activities are part of her plan to prepare for the Paris Games./.