BIRMINGHAM, England – Badminton world No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea is one step closer to making history, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 All England Open Badminton Championships on Tuesday. The victory keeps her on track for a potential repeat title, a feat no Korean women’s singles player has ever accomplished at this prestigious tournament.
An Se-young defeated Taiwan’s Lin Hsiang-ti, ranked No. 19 in the world, in straight sets, 21-15, 21-11. The match, held at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, lasted just 37 minutes, showcasing An Se-young’s dominance and efficiency. She will now face Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia, who defeated Kim Ga-eun 2-0 (25-23, 21-15), in the quarterfinal round.
This strong performance continues a remarkable run of success for the 2024 Olympic gold medalist. Last year, An Se-young secured a total of 11 tournament victories sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). She has carried that momentum into 2026, claiming back-to-back titles at the Malaysia Open (Super 1000) and the India Open (Super 750) earlier this year. Her current winning streak stands at an impressive 34 consecutive matches, dating back to last year.
The All England Open holds significant historical weight in the world of badminton, being the oldest tournament in the sport, with this year marking its 116th edition. For An Se-young, the stakes are particularly high. She is aiming to become the first Korean women’s singles player to win the tournament in consecutive years. Although Korean players have previously triumphed in doubles events – with legends like Park Joo-bong, Kim Moon-soo, Chung Myung-hee, and Gil Young-ah achieving repeat victories – no Korean woman has ever secured back-to-back singles titles at the All England Open.
Against Lin Hsiang-ti, An Se-young demonstrated her control from the outset. She quickly established a lead, racing to a 7-0 advantage early in the first game with a series of seven consecutive points. She continued to build on that lead, reaching 11-5 before ultimately closing out the game. The second game saw an even more pronounced disparity, with An Se-young taking control after a 2-2 tie and extending her advantage to secure a decisive victory.
The speed and precision of An Se-young’s play were evident throughout the match. She consistently pressured Lin Hsiang-ti, forcing errors and dictating the pace of the rallies. Her ability to transition seamlessly between attacking and defensive strategies proved too much for her opponent to handle.
Looking ahead, An Se-young’s quarterfinal match against Putri Kusuma Wardani will be a significant test. Wardani, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, has demonstrated her own capabilities with a strong performance in the previous round. The match promises to be a compelling clash of styles and a crucial step for An Se-young as she strives to defend her title and etch her name into All England Open history.
The All England Open continues to be a pivotal event on the BWF World Tour, attracting top players from around the globe. For An Se-young, the tournament represents not only a chance to add another prestigious title to her resume but likewise to solidify her position as the dominant force in women’s singles badminton.
Fans can follow the latest updates and results from the All England Open on the official BWF website: https://bwfbadminton.com/. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday, March 6th, with the semifinals and final taking place on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
What do you think of An Se-young’s chances of winning the All England Open? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
