Record-Breaking Badminton Star An Se Young Faces France Open Draw Shift
South Korean badminton player An Se Young has set a women’s singles record with 47 international titles, surpassing Susi Susanti’s 46-title mark, chosun.com reported. The Badminton World Federation officially recognized this milestone following An’s victory at the 2026 Denmark Open in Odense, where she defeated Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 2-1 in the final on October 18, 2026. This victory marked her 11th overall title of the season, including team events, and her ninth individual gold medal.
Fresh off her Denmark Open title defense, An arrived in France for the 2026 BWF World Tour France Open. However, a late withdrawal altered the tournament bracket just days before competition began. Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki withdrew from the Super 750 event due to an injury sustained during the previous week in Denmark, according to BWF announcements cited by chosun.com. This injury forced a shift in the seedings that changed An’s opening opponent.
Instead of facing India’s Pusarla V. Sindhu in the opening round, the top-seeded South Korean star will square off against Denmark’s Amalie Schulz. Schulz currently ranks 45th in the world. An carries strong momentum into the tournament, having previously claimed the France Open crown in 2019, 2024, and 2025. A victory this week would mark her first three consecutive titles at the event and establish a new tournament record for most women’s singles victories.
Tournament Path and Potential Opponents for the Top Seed
The updated draw places An on a demanding path toward the later rounds at Arena Grand Paris. Should she advance past Schulz in the 32nd round, she faces potential matchups against higher-ranked competitors later in the week. Tournament projections place China’s Han Yue, ranked 10th globally, as a likely opponent in the quarterfinals. A semifinal clash against her recent Denmark Open rival, Japan’s second-ranked Akane Yamaguchi, remains a strong possibility.
If An reaches the championship match, she is projected to face China’s Wang Zhiyi, currently ranked third in the world. The tournament runs through the weekend in Paris, where An looks to add to her historic title count. Her previous success in the French capital includes winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Frequently Asked Questions About the France Open Shift
Why did An Se Young’s opening opponent change at the France Open?
Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki withdrew from the tournament due to an injury sustained during the previous week’s Denmark Open. BWF officials adjusted the seedings as a result, moving Pusarla V. Sindhu away from the top seed and setting up An’s opening match against Denmark’s Amalie Schulz.
What historic record did An Se Young break recently?
An secured her 47th international title at the 2026 Denmark Open by defeating Akane Yamaguchi in the final. This victory surpassed the previous record of 46 titles held by Susi Susanti, prompting the Badminton World Federation to designate An as an all-time great.
Which players stand in An’s way during the later rounds in Paris?
An could face China’s Han Yue in the quarterfinals and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals. A run to the final likely puts her against China’s Wang Zhiyi.
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