The 2025 China Open kicked off in spectacular fashion as South Korea’s badminton queen An Se-Young delivered a masterclass in her opening match, reaffirming her status as one of the leading forces in women’s singles. Facing off against Canada’s Michelle Li, a seasoned campaigner in her own right, An produced a calm, controlled, and commanding performance to register a 21-11, 21-16 victory in just 39 minutes.
Taking place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre, the China Open marks one of the final high-profile tournaments in the Road to Paris 2025 Olympic qualification series. With every point and performance weighing heavily on world rankings, An’s dominant opener was not only a personal statement of intent but also a beacon of South Korea’s growing badminton prowess.
A Calm Storm How An Se-Young Took Control
There are players who win, and then there are players who impose. On Tuesday night, An Se-Young did both. Right from the first serve, An’s footwork was sharp and efficient, her strokes crisp and precise. Michelle Li, the former Pan Am Games champion, was no stranger to high-pressure matches and attempted to dictate the tempo early with aggressive push shots and full-court rallies.
But An’s response was effortless. Gliding across the court, she neutralized every attack, redirecting Li’s drives and applying pressure with deceptive drop shots. Her court coverage was, as always, exceptional. It quickly became evident that Michelle Li was not just playing against a top seed—she was playing against a player in complete control of her environment.
Match Breakdown Points That Told the Story
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First Game Total Dominance
An seized an early 6-2 lead, capitalizing on Michelle’s unforced errors and her own superior net control. By the mid-game interval, the Korean had stretched her lead to 11-4. Her defense transitioned seamlessly into attack—often with a flick of the wrist or a subtle change in shuttle angle. Canada’s Michelle Li, normally aggressive and assertive, found herself outmaneuvered and increasingly frustrated. An’s ability to maintain rallies without giving up her positioning broke Michelle’s rhythm completely. The first game ended 21-11, with the Canadian managing just two points after the interval.
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Second Game A Brief Resistance
Michelle came out with renewed urgency in the second game. She took a quick 5-2 lead, looking to catch An off-guard with quick cross-court smashes and flick serves. For a moment, it seemed like a momentum shift could be in play.
But An responded with the poise of a champion. She slowed the pace, drew Michelle into longer rallies, and waited patiently for openings. From 6-8 down, she went on a 9-2 run, effectively turning the tide of the game. Despite Michelle’s valiant effort to close the gap late in the game, An finished it with back-to-back winners—one a disguised drop shot, the other a powerful cross-court smash.
Post-Match Reactions Focused and Forward-Looking
Speaking after the match, An Se-Young exuded the composure and professionalism that have become hallmarks of her rise.
“It’s always important to start a big tournament well. Michelle is an experienced opponent, and I knew she would test my rhythm. I’m happy with how I stayed calm and stuck to my strategy.”
She also acknowledged the importance of the China Open in the bigger picture:
“With the Olympics coming up next year, every match matters. But more than points, I’m focused on improving my game with each round.”
Michelle Li, gracious in defeat, praised An’s ability to control the pace:
“An is one of the smartest players on the tour. She doesn’t force anything. She reads the game so well, and that makes her very difficult to beat.”
From Prodigy to Powerhouse An Se-Young’s Ascent
At just 23 years old, An Se-Young has already become a cornerstone of global women’s badminton. Her rise has been meteoric but never erratic—marked by consistency, mental toughness, and constant improvement.
She burst onto the scene at 17, stunning veterans and announcing herself with a victory over Tai Tzu-Ying in 2019. Since then, she has claimed titles at the All England Open, Indonesia Masters, Korea Open, and most recently the 2024 World Championships where she dethroned reigning champion Akane Yamaguchi in a nail-biting final.
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Strengths That Set Her Apart
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- Impeccable Footwork: Her court movement is fluid and economical. She glides instead of sprints.
- Strategic Clarity: Rarely overwhelmed, she chooses her shots with precision.
- Defensive Wall: One of the best retrievers in the game—she can turn defense into offense in seconds.
- Emotional Balance: Almost never rattled, An plays with the calm of a seasoned veteran.
South Korea’s New Era in Women’s Singles
Historically, South Korea has been more dominant in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. But An Se-Young’s emergence has shifted the narrative.
With her consistent performances, she has inspired a new generation of Korean players and shifted the focus of South Korea’s badminton federation to develop a stronger singles pipeline.
Korean media and fans now see her not just as a sporting star, but a national icon. Her humble demeanor, work ethic, and resilience have earned her comparisons to Olympic legends like Kim Yuna (figure skating) and Park Tae-Hwan (swimming).
Olympic Dreams and Pressure Ahead
With the Paris 2025 Olympics on the horizon, the expectations around An have intensified. She is widely viewed as one of the frontrunners for gold, especially given her record against top opponents in the past year.
Her current head-to-head stats:
- vs. Akane Yamaguchi: 5-2 in last 7 meetings
- vs. Tai Tzu-Ying: 4-3 in last 7
- vs. Chen Yufei: 3-2 in last 5
- vs. Carolina Marin: 2-2 in career meetings
These numbers indicate not only competitiveness, but a clear upward trajectory. If she maintains this form, An Se-Young could become the first Korean woman to win Olympic gold in singles—a historic feat.
China Open The Road Ahead
The road to the China Open title is still a long one, and An is well aware of the looming threats.
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Likely Contenders She May Face
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- He Bing Jiao (China): A powerful left-hander with deceptive strokes and the backing of a home crowd.
- P. V. Sindhu (India): Though battling form issues, Sindhu remains a big-stage player with Olympic pedigree.
- Gregoria Mariska (Indonesia): Rapidly improving, with a dangerous attack game that could trouble An’s rhythm.
An’s focus, according to her coach Kim Ji-Hyun, remains on maintaining fitness and mental freshness.
“We’re not thinking about the title yet. It’s match by match. An knows that overthinking the draw only adds pressure. Our goal is to execute our style and stay injury-free.”
Fan Reactions A Nation United
South Korean fans flooded social media with praise after An’s opening victory. The hashtags #AnSeYoung, #TeamKorea, and #ChinaOpen2025 trended on Korean Twitter (X), with many fans hailing her as “The Queen of the Court.”
One user wrote:
“She doesn’t just play badminton, she paints the court with poetry. What a gem for Korea!”
Meanwhile, several fans posted tribute videos and edits highlighting An’s highlights from the match against Michelle Li, already gaining tens of thousands of views.
Her popularity is not limited to Korea. International fans admire her calm demeanor, fair play, and respectful nature on court. As the tournament progresses, she’s expected to draw larger crowds and greater international media attention.
Analyst Insights The Making of a Champion
Badminton experts across the world have taken note of An’s development. Former Olympic champion Gong Ruina remarked on CCTV:
“An Se-Young reminds me of the Chinese greats—calm, efficient, unshakeable. She will be hard to beat in Paris.”
Meanwhile, former world no. 1 Peter Gade noted on the BWF podcast:
“What’s special about her is that she’s not just athletic, she’s intellectual. She understands tempo. That’s rare in a player so young.”
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