Victor Lai | The underdog who captured hearts at #Paris2025

A standout performance from 🇨🇦 Victor Lai, the underdog who captured hearts at #Paris2025! ❤️

Hear his reaction after the epic semifinal clash with 🇨🇳 Shi Yu Qi. 🔥

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Even I can’t believe I I was that close and I don’t think anyone can believe it. But uh yeah, I’m still very happy even though I lost. I’m very happy that I compete with the top in the world. Yeah, we we’ve never seen him so tired. Yeah. You know, to push him to that level. Uh but those two match points, did it hurt missing those two match points? Yeah. Yeah, of course. I mean, to be that close in my first world championships was definitely a bit sad. I’m a little disappointed and but uh I’m so happy in the third set I still fought. I didn’t give up. Most people I think would would give up being that close but I still fought and and gave it my all. Yeah. But starting out the third it felt like you know you lost your focus a bit. That’s why you gave him a big lead which was a bit tough to catch up. Yeah. Do you think you know if you had uh you know hang on in the start of third game it would have it would have given you a better chance. Yeah. Well I was dwelling on those two points for a little bit too long. Um it’s hard. It’s hard when you know you’re that close. Um but even down I remember 116 11 in the third I still still came back and made it two or three points to Mary. He’s nervous. So I’m very happy. I think he wasn’t expecting my attack a bit too much. Um my attack was definitely very good today better than most days. So like I can hit the lines and he wasn’t expecting it. the physical level and the skills you’ve shown. Obviously, this means that you believe now you belong right up there. Yeah. Uh I’m a little bit physically tired from the week, but he he also is. So, it was a battle of will and mental, but I think he may have played a little bit smarter in the third set. Um he controlled the net a lot better than me, so that’s why he got a point gap, but at the end, um I controlled the net a little bit better and got some points. Okay. Uh you’re just 20 years old. This is in May. you were still trying to qualify Taipei Open the Super 300, but now you’re on the podium for World Championships. What does this mean to you? Uh, I don’t know what to say. Um, in the beginning of the year, my goal was just to make top 70 actually. But after I won Panm and Sudterman and Taipei was a little bit of a drop, but after playing in US and Canada Open, I feel more confidence and my ranking go up and then my opponent get a little bit nervous when they play against me. because before I’m unknown, right? So, yeah. So, your new target for end of the year, top five or top 10? No. Uh just take a step by step. Uh when you aim to high, you you sort of lose the goal. But no, I’m I’m already ex exceeded everyone’s expectations, right? So, just uh get as high rank as I can. No specific goal. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.