Paris, France, October 26, 2026: South Korea’s An Se Young extended her winning streak to 50 matches and captured her 10th title of the season at the 2026 French Open, while Christo Popov ended an 80-year wait for a French men’s singles champion and is poised to become the new world No. 1.
An defeated India’s P. V. Sindhu 16-21, 21-11, 21-12 in Sunday’s women’s singles final at Arena Grand Paris. Popov overcame Indonesia’s Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah 21-11, 14-21, 21-13 to claim the men’s singles championship.
An Se Young Extends Winning Streak to 50 Matches
An Se Young’s latest victory brought her 2026 record to an extraordinary 66 wins from 67 matches, a winning percentage of 98.5%.
The world No. 1 has remained unbeaten since losing to China’s Wang Zhi Yi in the All England Open final in March.
Her French Open triumph also marked her third consecutive title at the tournament and fourth overall, following victories in 2019, 2024 and 2025.
Against Sindhu, An recovered from losing the opening game 16-21, winning the next two 21-11, 21-12 to secure the championship.
Watch Highlights: An Se Young vs. P. V. Sindhu – 2026 French Open Final
Video source: BWF
An Se Young Wins Despite Achilles Injury, Eyes More Records
An’s latest title was particularly impressive because she competed while experiencing discomfort around her right Achilles tendon after slipping and injuring her foot during the Denmark Open final the previous weekend.
“I try not to think about my physical condition, but things are very difficult right now,” An acknowledged. “The pain is still at a level I can tolerate, so I’ll continue playing.”
With 10 titles this season, An needs one more to equal her 2025 record of 11 championships and two more to establish a new single-season singles record of 12.
Her career singles title count has also reached 48, surpassing the 46 titles credited to Indonesian badminton legend Susi Susanti.
With the BWF World Tour Finals among the remaining tournaments, An could reach 50 career titles before the end of 2026.
Christo Popov Ends France’s 80-Year Men’s Singles Title Drought
Christo Popov made French badminton history by defeating Indonesia’s Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah 21-11, 14-21, 21-13 in the men’s singles final.
The 24-year-old became the first French player to win the French Open men’s singles championship since Henri Pellizza in 1946, ending an 80-year wait for a home champion.
Popov took the opening game 21-11 before Ubaidillah responded 21-14 in the second. The Frenchman regained control in the deciding game, winning 21-13 to secure the historic title.
The victory also earned Popov 11,000 ranking points, putting him in position to overtake Denmark’s Anders Antonsen and Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn when the updated BWF world rankings are released.
Reflecting on his achievement, Popov described the experience as something from a movie.
“This is one of the best memories of my career,” he said. “The first time is always the most beautiful.”
Watch Highlights: Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah vs. Christo Popov – 2026 French Open Final
Video source: BWF
French Badminton Celebrates Historic Success
Popov’s championship adds to a remarkable year for French men’s singles badminton.
His compatriot Alex Lanier won the 2026 BWF World Championships and Denmark Open titles, while both French players reached the French Open semifinals.
Popov’s expected rise to world No. 1 would represent another milestone for France, which now boasts two of the sport’s leading men’s singles players.
For An Se Young, the focus shifts to extending her winning streak and potentially breaking the single-season title record. For Popov, the French Open championship represents a historic breakthrough, 80 years after Henri Pellizza last secured the men’s singles crown for France.
Complete Tournament Results
Women’s Singles – Final
An Se Young (South Korea) defeated P. V. Sindhu (India), 16-21, 21-11, 21-12.
Men’s Singles – Final
Christo Popov (France) defeated Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah (Indonesia), 21-11, 14-21, 21-13.
