Birmingham, England – An Se-young’s dominant run in badminton came to an complete Sunday at the All England Open, falling to Wang Zhiyi in a closely contested final. The defeat not only dashed her hopes for a second consecutive title at the prestigious tournament but likewise impacted her potential earnings for the season.
An Se-young, the world No. 1, lost to Wang Zhiyi, ranked No. 2, 0-2 (15-21, 19-21) at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on March 9th (Korean time). The All England Open, steeped in history as the most authoritative badminton tournament globally, saw An Se-young’s attempt to grow the first Korean singles player to win back-to-back titles fall short.
The loss marks the end of an impressive 36-match winning streak for An Se-young, a run that began after a defeat to Yamaguchi at the Korea Open in September of last year. She had previously defeated Wang Zhiyi in 10 consecutive matches, establishing a significant head-to-head advantage with 18 wins to Wang’s 4.
Wang Zhiyi, who previously lost to An Se-young in the final of the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals and openly displayed her disappointment afterward, broke the losing streak and ended An Se-young’s dominance. The victory also halted An Se-young’s impressive run of form, which included a record-tying 11 wins in a single season last year, and a successful start to 2026 with victories at the Malaysia Open and India Open.
The defeat at the All England Open also has financial implications for An Se-young. She had already established herself as a leading earner in badminton history, becoming the first player to surpass $1 million in single-season earnings in 2024, with $1,003,175 (approximately 1.4 billion Korean Won). This achievement earned her the BWF Player of the Year award for the third consecutive year, and she was also voted by her peers as the Player of the Year for the second year running.
An Se-young had already surpassed the 2.77 million dollar (approximately 4.1 billion Korean Won) mark in career earnings with her win at the Malaysia Open, becoming the first badminton player to reach the 4 billion Korean Won milestone. Her subsequent victory at the India Open added another $66,500, bringing her total earnings to approximately $2.83 million (approximately 4.2 billion Korean Won).
Had An Se-young continued her winning streak and secured the All England Open title, she was on track to potentially exceed 5 billion Korean Won in earnings this year. However, with Wang Zhiyi claiming the championship, An Se-young’s prize money was reduced. The All England Open winner receives $101,500 (approximately 147 million Korean Won), while the runner-up receives $49,300 (approximately 72 million Korean Won).
While the financial impact is notable, An Se-young remains a dominant force in the sport. The defeat serves as a reminder of the competitive landscape of elite badminton, where even the most formidable players can be challenged. The rivalry between An Se-young and Wang Zhiyi is shaping up to be one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season and beyond.
An Se-young’s next scheduled tournament is currently unconfirmed. Fans can follow updates on her schedule and performance through the official BWF website ([https://bwfbadminton.com/](https://bwfbadminton.com/)) and the Korean Badminton Association’s social media channels.
The All England Open result undoubtedly adds another layer of intrigue to the women’s singles competition. Wang Zhiyi’s victory signals her arrival as a serious contender for major titles, and the prospect of future clashes between these two exceptional athletes promises thrilling encounters for badminton fans worldwide.
