BIRMINGHAM, England – The seemingly unstoppable reign of An Se-young came to a stunning halt on Sunday at the 2026 All England Open, as China’s Wang Zhiyi secured a 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) victory, ending An’s 36-match winning streak and capturing the prestigious title. The win sent ripples of excitement through Chinese badminton circles, with state media hailing a new era for the nation’s women’s singles program.
The match, held at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, marked a significant turning point in the rivalry between the world’s top two players. For Wang, it was a breakthrough moment, finally overcoming a decade of frustration against the South Korean star. Chinese media outlets have extensively covered the victory, detailing Wang’s strategic approach and the emotional impact of breaking through against a player who had previously been a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
Prior to Sunday, Wang Zhiyi had lost ten consecutive matches to An Se-young, a psychological barrier that weighed heavily on the Chinese player. Reports from China’s ‘Sina Sports’ emphasized that simply seeing An Se-young’s name on the draw was enough to create significant pressure. “The 10-match losing streak wasn’t just a number, it was a psychological wall,” one report stated. An Se-young’s dominance had been absolute, with her 36-match winning streak establishing her as the clear favorite heading into the tournament.
The atmosphere leading up to the final was decidedly one-sided, with many anticipating another comfortable win for An Se-young. Online discussions in China reflected this sentiment, with some predicting the margin of victory for the world number one. However, Wang Zhiyi defied expectations, delivering a composed and strategic performance that ultimately proved too much for her opponent.
In the first game, Wang Zhiyi took control with a 21-15 victory, employing a tactical shift from her previous encounters with An Se-young. Chinese media analysis highlighted Wang’s deliberate focus on directing the shuttlecock towards the center of the court, rather than relying on diagonal attacks. This strategy aimed to disrupt An Se-young’s aggressive style and force her into longer, more physically demanding rallies. The second game was a much tighter affair, with both players trading points until Wang ultimately prevailed 21-19.
The victory marks the first time a Chinese player has won the All England Open women’s singles title since Chen Yufei in 2019, ending a seven-year drought. “This is a historic moment,” ‘Sina Sports’ declared, “not only because Wang Zhiyi broke the 10-match losing streak, but also because it ended An Se-young’s 36-match winning streak simultaneously.”
Wang Zhiyi’s path to the final wasn’t without its challenges. She overcame Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki in a hard-fought, approach-from-behind victory and then dispatched world-class competitor Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) 2-0 in the semi-finals, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, dropping only one game in five matches.
The reaction in China was overwhelmingly positive, with fans flooding social media platforms with messages of support and celebration. Common sentiments included relief at the end of the “10-match curse,” praise for Wang Zhiyi’s mental fortitude, and recognition of the victory as a testament to her dedication and hard operate.
Following the match, Wang Zhiyi offered a measured response, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation. “The most critical thing when playing against An Se-young is mindset,” she said. “In the past, I couldn’t withstand long rallies, but today I tried to persevere. That’s when An Se-young started to produce mistakes.”
An Se-young, whereas disappointed with the loss, acknowledged Wang Zhiyi’s performance and expressed respect for her opponent. Upon returning to South Korea, she stated, “I’m sure Wang Zhiyi worked hard to beat me, just as I worked hard to beat Chen Yufei. The fact that she didn’t supply up is something I’m grateful for, and it’s a reason for me to continue working hard and never give up either.”
Chinese media outlets have framed An Se-young’s comments as the beginning of a new, compelling rivalry. Wang Zhiyi has moved beyond being simply the player who lost ten times to An Se-young and has now established herself as a legitimate contender for the world number one ranking. This dynamic shift promises exciting matchups between the two players in the future.
The All England Open victory is a significant boost for Chinese badminton, signaling a potential resurgence in the women’s singles discipline. It also sets the stage for an intriguing season ahead, with An Se-young and Wang Zhiyi poised to battle for supremacy on the world stage. The next major tournament on the BWF World Tour is the Singapore Open in April, where both players are expected to compete.
Fans eager to follow the developing rivalry between An Se-young and Wang Zhiyi can find the latest updates and schedules on the official Badminton World Federation (BWF) website: https://bwfbadminton.com/.
What do you think about Wang Zhiyi’s stunning victory? Will this mark a turning point in women’s singles badminton? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
