An Se-young Continues Her Dominance With French Open Victory; Withdraws From Kumamoto Masters

By JITHIN JOHN THOMAS - 1st November 2026

South Korea's An Se-young continues to set new standards in women's badminton, adding another title to her remarkable 2026 season with a victory at the YONEX French Open. The world No. 1 defeated India's P. V. Sindhu 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 in the final, recovering after losing the opening game to secure her third consecutive French Open title.

With 10 titles this season and a remarkable 66 wins from 67 matches, An's dominance is becoming increasingly difficult to match. She currently leads the BWF women's singles rankings with 122,287 points, maintaining a substantial gap over her closest competitors.

Having witnessed her play at the BWF World Championships in Delhi, I was particularly impressed by how calculated her movements are. Unlike players who rely heavily on aggressive attacking shots, An seems to conserve her energy, anticipate her opponent's movements and construct rallies with remarkable precision. Even her small on-court habits, such as her frequent blinking between rallies, caught my attention.

Her celebrations are equally interesting. She remains remarkably composed between points and games, but her reaction after winning a tournament is something worth watching. I was fortunate enough to witness this from just a few feet away at the photography stands in Delhi.

In another development, An has withdrawn from the upcoming Kumamoto Masters in Japan but is expected to compete at the Korea Open, scheduled from November 3–8. The decision comes after a demanding run of tournaments and concerns over her physical condition.

At just 24, An Se-young is already building a remarkable legacy. What separates her is perhaps not just how often she wins, but how comfortably and calmly she makes winning look.