Shuttlecock sensation An Se-young (Samsung Life) displayed unwavering confidence after her dramatic comeback victory in the Denmark Open final. Overturning a 5-11 deficit, she declared that she knew she would win. This triumph marked her 47th title in international women’s singles, setting a new record. An expressed her ambition to continue making history in the sport.
World No. 1 An Se-young clinched a hard-fought victory against world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) in the BWF World Tour Super 750 Denmark Open women’s singles final. The match, held in Odense, Denmark, on October 18, lasted 1 hour and 19 minutes, with An emerging victorious with a score of 2-1 (21-23, 21-14, 21-18).
This win secured An Se-young’s second consecutive Denmark Open title, making her the first Korean player to achieve this feat. It also extended her impressive winning streak to 44 matches and marked her ninth tournament victory this season, including her Asian Games triumph.
With this latest success, An Se-young has now claimed 47 international women’s singles titles, surpassing the previous record of 46 held by Indonesian legend Susi Susanti.
This achievement represents the highest number of titles in international women’s singles competitions since the BWF began keeping records in 1989, excluding regional tournaments.
In a post-match interview with BWF, An Se-young stated that she aims to create more history and break records. However, she always focuses on one match at a time.
She added that that’s what drives her. It brings her immense joy to see fans coming to watch her play and enjoying every match she competes in.
The path to victory was nothing short of dramatic.
An Se-young narrowly lost the first game 21-23 in a tight contest but bounced back to claim the second game 21-14, leveling the match.
The final game saw An initially struggling against Yamaguchi, falling behind 3-9 and trailing 5-11 at the interval. At this point, defeat seemed almost certain.
However, An Se-young refused to concede. Showcasing her trademark tenacious defense and laser-like focus, she mounted an incredible comeback, winning 11 of the next 12 points. This surge propelled her to a 16-12 lead, which she maintained to complete the comeback with a 21-18 victory.
Reflecting on the final game, An Se-young said that as the court slowed down, her confidence grew. She felt more self-assured and played with increased intensity. She kept telling myself, I will win this match.
Despite her triumph, concerns arose about her physical condition after she slipped during the match.
An Se-young admitted that she’s not feeling my best physically. The court conditions were challenging, and she slipped during the match. She explained that she would consult with her trainer to assess her condition and determine her next steps.
This victory further solidified An Se-young’s edge in her head-to-head record against Yamaguchi. She expressed respect for her rival, saying,
An stated that it considers Yamaguchi the greatest rival. She always strive to win against her. Her presence pushes me to train even harder.
An also mentioned Wang Zhi Yi and Chen Yu Fei (both from China) as formidable rivals. She’s grateful to have such strong competitors. These rivalries drive my improvement, she emphasized.
An Se-young expressed heartfelt gratitude for the passionate support from Danish fans.
She smiled, saying that many people, including the Danish fans, take pride in her. Their support allows to truly enjoy the matches. She always feel at home in Denmark, it’s so comfortable here.
An Se-young is scheduled to compete in the French Open, which begins on October 20. However, she plans to assess her physical condition following her slip during the Denmark Open final before confirming her upcoming schedule.
An Se-young concluded that now it’s time to pack to head to Paris, so she needs to treat myself to something delicious before she goes.