Ahn Se-young Advances to All England Open Round of 16, Extends Winning Streak

Reigning champion Ahn Se-young of South Korea continued her dominant form, securing a decisive victory in the first round of the 2026 All England Open on Wednesday, March 4th. The world No. 1 defeated Neslyhan Yigit of Turkey 2-0 (21-8, 21-6) at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England, extending her official match winning streak to 33 games.

Dominant Performance in Birmingham

Ahn Se-young showcased her skill and efficiency, dispatching Yigit in just 27 minutes. She quickly established control of the match, racing to a six-point lead in the first game and securing it in 13 minutes. The second game followed a similar pattern, with Ahn Se-young limiting her opponent to only six points.

Seeking Back-to-Back Titles

This victory marks a strong start in Ahn Se-young’s bid for her second consecutive All England Open title. She previously won the prestigious tournament in 2023 and 2025, and aims to become the first Korean singles player to achieve the feat of winning the tournament in back-to-back years. The All England Open, with a history spanning 116 years, is widely considered the most prestigious tournament in badminton. [Source: The Chosun Ilbo]

Recent Successes

Ahn Se-young’s winning streak began last season and includes victories at the Malaysia Open, the Indian Open, and the Asian Team Championship this year. [Source: The Chosun Ilbo]

Next Match

In the round of 16, Ahn Se-young will face Lin Shanti of Taiwan, who previously defeated South Korea’s Shim Yu-jin.