Wang Ziyi Breaks An Se-young’s 37-Match Win Streak to Win 2026 All England Open: China’s ‘An Se-young Strategy’ Revealed

BIRMINGHAM, England – In a stunning upset at the 2026 All England Open on Sunday, March 9th (local time), Chinese badminton star Wang Zhiyi ended An Se-young’s remarkable 37-match winning streak, defeating the world No. 1 in straight sets, 21-15, 21-19. The victory marks Wang’s first All England Open title and the first for a Chinese player in the women’s singles event since Chen Yufei in 2019.

The match, held at the Utilita Arena Birmingham, saw Wang employ a strategic shift, focusing on central court play and demonstrating impressive stamina throughout the contest. Unlike previous encounters, Wang largely avoided the aggressive, diagonal attacks that An Se-young typically thrives on, instead keeping the shuttlecock concentrated in the middle of the court. This tactic, coupled with her own endurance, appeared to wear down the top-ranked Korean player.

According to analysis from China’s Tencent News, Wang Zhiyi deliberately targeted the center of the court, effectively neutralizing An Se-young’s ability to generate powerful angled shots. This “front-and-center” approach limited An Se-young’s options and narrowed Wang’s defensive coverage. The report described it as a bold tactic, a direct challenge to An Se-young’s strengths.

Beyond court positioning, Wang’s game plan incorporated elements of doubles play into her singles strategy. Her coach, Luo Yigang, reportedly instructed her to utilize drive and push shots – commonly seen in doubles – rather than relying on the high lobs typically associated with singles badminton. This approach kept the shuttlecock low and fast, disrupting An Se-young’s rhythm and minimizing her opportunities to attack.

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Wang also strategically varied her net play, intentionally sending the shuttlecock long to force errors from An Se-young. This tactic proved effective, as An Se-young committed more unforced errors than usual. The Tencent News report highlighted Wang’s physical conditioning as a key factor, noting that both players were visibly fatigued during the second set, but Wang maintained her intensity.

The report detailed how the sounds of both players’ labored breathing were clearly audible through the arena’s microphones during the second set. Wang, however, demonstrated both tactical acumen and unwavering determination, “wearing down” An Se-young to secure the victory. An Se-young, known for her ability to wear down opponents with long rallies, found herself on the receiving end of that strategy this time.

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The victory was particularly significant given Wang Zhiyi’s previous ten consecutive losses to An Se-young. Tencent News emphasized the mental fortitude required to overcome such a losing streak, stating that only a player with exceptional willpower could endure such a challenge. After securing the win, Wang reportedly exclaimed to her coach, “I don’t want to do the early morning fitness training anymore!” – a testament to the grueling preparation that underpinned her success.

Despite the loss, An Se-young remains the world No. 1, holding a significant lead of over 10,000 ranking points over Wang Zhiyi. However, the Chinese media acknowledges An Se-young’s exceptional ability to analyze and adapt, cautioning that Wang’s winning strategy may not be effective in future encounters. An Se-young is known for her ability to identify and correct weaknesses in her game, making her a formidable opponent.

Following the match, An Se-young acknowledged her own errors and credited Wang Zhiyi’s performance. “I made too many mistakes, and I struggled to recover from them,” she said. “Wang Zhiyi worked hard to win, and I respect that. I’m grateful for this experience, and it will motivate me to work even harder.” She added, “Losing doesn’t feel like a setback, but a learning opportunity. I will leverage this experience to become an even stronger player.”

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The result at the All England Open signals a potential shift in the dynamic between these two dominant forces in women’s badminton. Although An Se-young remains a clear contender for major titles, Wang Zhiyi has demonstrated the ability to challenge her supremacy. The rivalry promises to be one of the most compelling storylines in the sport moving forward.

An Se-young’s next scheduled tournament is currently unconfirmed, but she is expected to compete in the upcoming Asian Championships in April. Fans can follow updates on her progress and the evolving rivalry with Wang Zhiyi through official badminton federation channels and sports news outlets.

What do you believe? Can Wang Zhiyi consistently challenge An Se-young, or was this a one-off upset? Share your thoughts in the comments below.