Birmingham, England – The seemingly unstoppable reign of An Se-young came to an conclude on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the All England Open, as China’s Wang Ziyi secured a stunning 2-0 victory (21-15, 21-19) over the world No. 1. The result not only halted An Se-young’s 36-match winning streak but also ignited a wave of excitement in China, with many believing this marks a turning point in the landscape of women’s singles badminton.
The upset reverberated through Chinese media, with outlets like the Beijing Youth Daily proclaiming, “Is An Se-young invincible? Wang Ziyi says no.” The victory, they argue, has injected fresh energy into the Chinese badminton program and definitively demonstrated that An Se-young is, in fact, beatable. This win ended a 10-match losing streak for Wang Ziyi against An Se-young, a particularly significant milestone given their contrasting positions in the world rankings – Wang Ziyi is currently ranked No. 2.
The match, held at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, saw Wang Ziyi employ a strategic blend of robust defense and aggressive offense. Despite falling behind early in the first game (1-3), she quickly rallied, scoring four consecutive points to seize control and ultimately win 21-15. The second game was a tighter affair, with Wang Ziyi securing a 13-13 tie before a three-point burst gave her a crucial lead. Though An Se-young mounted a late comeback, Wang Ziyi closed out the match with a final attack, winning 21-19.
This victory is particularly sweet for Wang Ziyi, who had previously lost in five consecutive finals to An Se-young. The win at the All England Open marks her first major title and a significant moment in her career. The last Chinese player to win the All England Open was Chen Yufei in 2019, ending a seven-year drought for the nation in this prestigious tournament.
Following the match, Wang Ziyi expressed her disbelief and joy, stating, “It was a magical match. An Se-young is a truly excellent player. I am so happy and touched to have defeated An Se-young today. Thank you to all the Chinese fans for your support. I will do my best to deliver even better performances in the future.”
The Beijing Youth Daily also highlighted the psychological aspect of the match, noting that An Se-young faced immense pressure to defend her title and continue her winning streak, which had fueled speculation about potentially surpassing Susi Susanti’s legendary 36-match win record. This pressure, the report suggests, may have contributed to An Se-young’s uncharacteristically hesitant play, creating an opening for Wang Ziyi to capitalize on.
An Se-young, while gracious in defeat, acknowledged the challenge posed by Wang Ziyi. “I will work harder and return stronger,” she stated, signaling her determination to reclaim her dominance in the sport. The Korean star’s 36-match winning streak, while impressive, ultimately fell short of Susanti’s record of 59 consecutive victories.
The implications of Wang Ziyi’s win extend beyond the individual tournament. It positions her as a legitimate contender to replace Chen Yufei as China’s leading women’s singles player and significantly boosts the morale of the Chinese team. More broadly, it signals a potential shift in the balance of power in women’s badminton, challenging An Se-young’s previously unchallenged dominance.
For An Se-young, the defeat serves as a valuable lesson and a reminder that even the most dominant athletes are vulnerable. Her next tournament will be closely watched as she seeks to regain her momentum and prove that this setback was merely a temporary blip in her otherwise stellar career. The badminton world now eagerly anticipates the next chapter in this burgeoning rivalry between An Se-young and Wang Ziyi.
An Se-young is scheduled to compete in the Swiss Open, beginning March 17, 2026, in Basel, Switzerland. This tournament will provide her with an immediate opportunity to respond to the loss and demonstrate her resilience. Fans can follow updates and live scores on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website: https://bwfbadminton.com/
What are your thoughts on Wang Ziyi’s stunning victory? Do you think this signals a changing of the guard in women’s singles badminton? Share your opinions in the comments below!
