Wang Zhiyi Dethrones Ahn Se-young at All England Open, Ending 37-Match Win Streak

Wang Zhiyi of China defeated world No. 1 Ahn Se-young of South Korea in the final of the 2026 All England Open on March 9th, ending Ahn Se-young’s 37-match winning streak. Wang Zhiyi won with a score of 2-0 (21-15, 21-19) at the tournament held in Birmingham, England. This victory marks the first time a Chinese player has won the women’s singles title at the All England Open in seven years, since Chen Yufei’s win in 2019.

Strategic Shift: Focusing on the Center of the Court

According to analysis from China’s ‘Tencent News’, Wang Zhiyi employed a deliberate strategy of directing shuttlecocks towards the center of the court, rather than relying on diagonal attacks. This tactic aimed to limit Ahn Se-young’s ability to create angles and effectively narrowed Wang Zhiyi’s defensive radius. The strategy involved a “head-on” approach, challenging Ahn Se-young to break through a concentrated defense.

Adapting Doubles Techniques to Singles Play

Chinese national team coach Luo Yikang instructed Wang Zhiyi to incorporate techniques commonly used in doubles play, such as drive and push shots, into her singles game. This contrasted with the typical high lobs seen in singles matches, minimizing Ahn Se-young’s strengths by applying quick, low-trajectory shots. Wang Zhiyi too intentionally sent the shuttlecock long over the net to avoid engaging in intricate hairpin net play, a known strength of Ahn Se-young, leading to uncharacteristic errors from the Korean player.

Stamina and Mental Fortitude

The match also highlighted Wang Zhiyi’s physical endurance. Reports indicated that the breathing of both players was audible through the broadcast microphones during the second set. Wang Zhiyi, who reportedly holds the No. 1 800m track record within the Chinese national team, demonstrated the stamina to withstand Ahn Se-young’s persistent attacks without showing fatigue. This allowed her to capitalize on errors made by Ahn Se-young due to exhaustion.

Ahn Se-young Acknowledges Defeat and Looks Ahead

Following the match, Ahn Se-young acknowledged her performance, stating she made too many mistakes and faced obstacles in resolving them. She recognized Wang Zhiyi’s preparation and effort, expressing gratitude and viewing the loss as a motivation for continued improvement. Ahn Se-young expressed a belief that she learned from the experience and aims to become an even more resilient player.

[Source: Osen]