South Korean badminton star An Se-young has maintained a perfect record in high-stakes matches that stretch to a deciding third game, winning 22 contests whenever the scoreline is level at 1-1.
This streak of mental and physical endurance has drawn international attention as the world No. 1 continues to dominate the BWF World Tour.
The 24-year-old’s ability to close out matches has become a defining trait of her recent form. According to reports from the badminton media outlet Badminton Planet, An’s performance in three-game encounters has been particularly notable since her loss to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi at the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China.
Since that defeat in December 2024, An has played 22 matches that required a third game and won every single one.
A recent example occurred on November 8 at the Korea Open (Super 500) held at the Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu. Facing world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi in the final, An secured the opening game 21-12 before dropping the second 15-21.
Despite the momentum shift, An recovered to win the decider 21-16, claiming the title. It was a major reversal for the South Korean, who had lost to Yamaguchi in the same tournament final a year prior.
An has attributed this string of successes to an evolution in her mental approach. Following her victory at the Korea Open, she said that she has become more resilient than she was in the previous season. She described learning how to shift the momentum of a match even when her physical energy is depleted, a development that has allowed her to remain steady despite a rigorous international competition schedule.
This growth is reflected in her season-long statistics. An has compiled a 71-1 record in 2024, a 98.6% winning percentage. Her only loss this year occurred during the All England Open final in March against China’s Wang Zhiyi. Since that defeat, she has embarked on a 55-match winning streak, securing 11 titles throughout the season.
By winning 11 titles in a single season, An has matched the record for the most singles titles in a year, a mark previously set by Japanese men’s player Kento Momota in 2019. An is the first singles player to achieve this 11-title feat in two consecutive seasons. Her 2024 trophy haul includes eight World Tour titles, alongside victories at the Asian Championships, the World Championships, and the Asian Games.
An is now preparing for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, scheduled for December, where she will compete for her 12th title of the year. She is also closing in on the all-time women’s singles winning streak of 59 matches, held by Indonesian legend Susi Susanti.
Badminton Planet said that An’s standard of play has reached a level that opponents find increasingly difficult to match, setting the stage for a historic conclusion to her year.
Earlier coverage: An Se-Young Wins Korea Open Title to Match Single-Season Record
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